Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida called out former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping after defeating Eryk Anders in the main event of UFC Fight Night Belem.
Bisping is open to the idea of fighting Machida, but he has to speak to the UFC brass first before making any commitments.
“He’s had a great career, and it ticks all the boxes (for my retirement fight) from that standpoint,” Bisping said on Believe You Me. “That’s about it. As of right now, I’ve got to speak to the UFC and find out what’s going on for myself. I’m not considering opponents or who they are. I’ve got to speak to (UFC President) Dana (White) and the UFC guys and figure out what’s going on next and in life.”
The former middleweight champion was expected to retire this March at UFC Fight Night London, but plans fell through and Bisping is waiting to fight again.
One thing that Bisping says is that he has a lot of respect for the man that may wind up being the Brit’s final opponent.
“The Rashad fight we spoke about, and it didn’t materialize,” Bisping said. “The Machida fight, as well, is something that could serve as my last bout. (The fight is) very similar to Rashad in many ways: He’s a former champion, had a long career and getting to the final stages of his career. He’s someone I haven’t fought and have a lot of respect for.”
If Bisping wants to retire in his home country of England, it could be quite the long wait because the UFC doesn’t have any events scheduled in the country other than the one happening next month.
