Michael Bisping On Fight with Alan Belcher: “It's in the Bag; It's a Formality”
UFC middleweights Michael Bisping and Alan Belcher have been entangled in bitter war of words for months. It’s no secret that the two men do not like each other. They’ve gone at each other in interview after interview and they’ve engaged in insult exchanges on social media.
But the time for talking is nearly over.
The two meet in the UFC 159 co-main event on Saturday to settle their differences. Bisping believes there’s no way he can lose to Belcher.
“Health wise, going into this fight I’m fantastic. Fighters train hard and we accumulate injuries over the years, but nothing that is going to stop me from destroying Alan Belcher come Saturday night,” said Bisping during a media conference call on Monday.
“I’ve got a great camp, feel fantastic. Yes, as I said, all fighters kind of carry a couple of injuries here and there, but there’s nothing that’s going to hinder my performance and nothing on this planet that is going to help Alan Belcher.”
Bisping was on the cusp of earning a title shot in the 185-pound division, but was knocked out by Vitor Belfort in his last outing on Jan. 19. He hopes a win over Belcher will put him back in the title picture.
“Well, obviously it draws me back in the win column. It eradicates my last loss. You’re only as good as your last fight and my last fight was a loss. And I don’t take that too well. I want to win fights. I’m a natural competitor. A win over Alan Belcher puts me back in the win column. As I say, I get redemption for my last fight. It’s a win over a Top 10 opponent,” he said.
“And it gets me back in the mix for the title shot. That’s what I want, and as long as there’s blood – sorry, life in my body – I will continue to try and get that title shot. I’m a fighter. I want to be the world champion, and I ain’t stopping until – as long as my body can do it, I’m going to keep trying,” said the 34-year-old Brit.
“A win over me for Alan Belcher will be by far the biggest win of his pathetic career,” he added, not believing in any way that it will happen.
Bisping’s confidence is high heading into the fight with Belcher. On the call, he addressed Belcher directly, claiming the fight is all but over before it begins.
“Hey bro, I ain’t going to lose to you, man. It’s in the bag. All I got to do is – it’s a formality. I just got to show up, slap your little face, take my check and go home.”
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