As we reported Tuesday afternoon, Chris Weidman has been forced to withdraw from his UFC 199 title shot against middleweight champ Luke Rockhold on June 4. Now according to UFC President Dana White “The Count” Michael Bisping will get his first crack at the 185-pound title.
THIS JUST IN: Dana White announces #LIVEonSC that Michael Bisping will replace Chris Weidman at UFC 199. pic.twitter.com/cISyY2RCM9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 18, 2016
It’s been a long time coming for Bisping as he’s been competing in the UFC’s middleweight division since 2008. That’s right, my man has been grinding it out for eight long years at 185-pounds. And he was competing for two years at light heavyweight inside the Octagon before that.
He has been in title elimination bouts against legend Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen in the past, but lost to both. But as they say, luck happens when preparedness meets opportunity. And Michael Bisping is ready.
Training camps separate the boys from the men. This sport isn't for everyone. 2 weeks notice? I'm down!!! @ufc #realfighter #fightersfighter
— michael (@bisping) May 17, 2016
Bisping and Rockhold of course have history. The two fought back in 2014 in Sydney and Rockhold submitted Bisping. Since then though, Bisping has won three straight, most recently winning a unanimous decision over Anderson Silva in February.