Michael Bisping tells UFC 'I'm available' for Liverpool event

Simon Head

29 March 2018

British UFC icon says he wants to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career on home soil

The UFC is set to return to British shores on 27 May for UFC Fight Night in Liverpool, and Michael Bisping wants in.

The former UFC middleweight champion - the only Brit to ever win UFC championship gold - told BBC Three a fortnight ago that he was keen to return to the UK for his final fight before hanging up the gloves for good.

And now, to borrow football transfer parlance, he's issued a come-and-get-me plea to the UFC's matchmakers, saying he'd love to compete on the upcoming card in Liverpool.

Bisping V Rockhold — Image caption,
Options include a potential rematch between Bisping and Luke Rockhold

Speaking on his podcast 'Believe You Me', Bisping couldn't have laid it out much clearer for UFC president Dana White and matchmaker Mick Maynard, who looks after the UFC’s middleweight and light-heavyweight classes.

"UFC, I’m available!" he said.

"If you want me on that card, you’ve got my number."

Bisping was previously linked with a bout against former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans at UFC London, but he couldn’t agree terms with the UFC in time for the bout to go ahead.

It's possible that match-up could be resurrected for Liverpool, with the two veteran former world champions going toe to toe in a rematch of the light-heavyweight bout from November 2007 where Evans handed 'The Count' the first loss of his MMA career via split decision.

But there are other potential options available, with former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold making no secret of his desire to face Bisping in a rubber match after the pair shared wins in their first two meetings in the octagon.

But while Bisping isn't yet sure who he'll face, he is certainly sold on the idea of fighting in Liverpool for his farewell matchup.

"That’s a nice retirement fight,” said the Brit.

"Liverpool. North West of England. That’s where I’m from.

"I am interested in fighting on that card. We’ll see what the UFC comes up with, but yeah, definitely interested, for sure. That would be my last fight and then I can bore off!

"I said to the UFC: 'Throw some names my way, and we’ll see.'

"We’ll see what they come back with. But yeah, I’m certainly interested. Definitely interested, so there you go."

Co-main event confirmed

While the widely expected main event between Liverpool’s Darren Till and number-one welterweight contender Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson is still to be officially confirmed, a host of bouts have been formally announced.

The co-main event will feature a battle of longtime welterweight contenders, as American Neil Magny takes on Icelandic submission ace Gunnar Nelson at 170lbs.

They'll be joined on the card by a pair of middleweight bouts, as four-time Australian judo Olympian Dan Kelly takes on Birmingham's Tom Breese, while Canada's Elias Theodorou faces American Trevor Smith.

A women's bantamweight bout between Lina Lansberg and Gina Mazany has also been confirmed by the UFC, while popular Finn Makwan Amirkhani returns to action against all-action American Jason ‘The Kid’ Knight.

And there was good news for British welterweight Brad Scott, who has also been quickly rebooked after his bout at UFC London fell through the night before weigh-in day. He'll take on Poland's Salim Touahri.