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Michael Bisping says that if Wanderlei Silva wants a re-match in the UFC, he’ll happily do it
By Zach Arnold | May 24, 2010
How are preparations going for your upcoming fight against Dan Miller? Jiu-jitsu based camp?
“Training camp has gone fantastic to be honest. Well, not really jiu-jitsu based, no, but obviously he’s a jiu-jitsu guy so I got to address that situation and we brought in a couple of guys from Brazil, Rafael and Andrew, two black belts, both of them big guys as well, black-belts and put a bit of actual jiu-jitsu pressure on. But, you know, I’m focusing on everything, my jiu-jitsu, my wrestling, my striking, you know, so between every fight I’m always trying to improve as a fighter and I feel I’ve done that.”
Miller doesn’t seem to be much of a threat standing up, given his performance against Demian Maia?
“It’s a hard one to say, you know I mean because his fight with Demian Maia he didn’t look too impressive on the feet but he was facing a southpaw, you know which always makes tricky and you know let’s be honest, he’s… I think in the fight with Demian Maia he was probably a little you know shy of the takedown, you know he probably thought Demian Maia wasn’t going to dance therefore he was probably a little more reserved with his striking you know so… based on that performance, he didn’t look too great but you know for the reasons I just said you know I’m not underestimating him.”
You and your significant other have a child due shortly. Has it affected your training camp in any way?
(He answered not really). Later on he said…
“It’s my fighting that enables me and my family to enjoy a certain lifestyle, you know what I mean? So when I’m training for a fight that comes first. Don’t get me wrong, when I’m at home you know I make a fuss of her and it’s in the back of my mind and I’m excited about the baby coming. I’m also a little apprehensive you know the timing’s not fantastic. The baby’s due on Thursday and I’m supposed to fight in Vegas on Sunday and I don’t know I just got a feeling that ain’t going to happen but you know fingers crossed, fingers crossed.”
What has Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s training camp been like at Wolfslair Gym?
“Yeah, Quinton’s training very hard as always you know I mean he’s a very focused fighter you know when he’s you know you don’t get to the level of success that Rampage has achieved without you know having a certain ethic, work ethic, and you know ability. You know and he’s left no stone unturned you know we got a training camp going on. We’ve got a lot of people, Anthony the manager of the Wolfslair his house is like a guest house party for the moment we got people from all the world staying there. We got three Iranians from Manchester who’ve come in and… but yeah they’re based in Manchester, they’ve been a great help on the wrestling side of things. As I said we got some Brazilians staying with us, we got a bunch of guys coming from the States, he’s got his nutritionist with him, you name it he’s got it as well as the coaches from the Wolfslair, so it’s going good you know and I’m very looking forward to seeing him kick some ass.”
What did you make of (Mauricio) Shogun’s win against (Lyoto) Machida and thoughts on Shogun vs. Rampage if Rampage wins at UFC 114?
“I thought Shogun did a terrific job. I thought he looked fantastic.”
(He then said that it was only a matter of time before someone exposed the fact that Machida keeps his chin up too high.)
“Who am I to criticize Machida, you know, he’s a fantastic fighter on the ground but you know his chin, he just carries his chin a little high up and you do that you’re eventually going to get caught. I’m not sure, it was someone who got caught last July… What can I say? Speaking from experience. Yeah, Shogun did great. Shogun did fantastic. He looked great and I’m sure that will be a very intriguing match-up you know, a re-match between Rampage and Shogun. You know I’m sure Rampage will be looking forward to you know getting revenge in that fight.”
You were supposed to be fighting Nate Marquardt. If you beat Dan Miller, will you be fighting Marquardt?
“Yeah, I’m not looking past my opponent. I’m not sure who my next opponent is going to be. I personally after this fight, if I win… when I win, should I say, and Wanderlei (Silva) wins his next fight, I wouldn’t mind a re-match with Wanderlei. I know he’s been talking about having a re-match and I’ll quite happily fight him again. You know, I’ve only three losses on my career to three former champions and you know I’d like to avenge them and you know the only reason I’m bringing up a re-match with Wanderlei is because he’s been bringing it up in a few interviews he’s said he wants a re-match with me and I honestly think you know if he won the fight, which he did, you know if he thinks in his heart of hearts he won the fight, why in the heck does he wants a re-match? I think he knows deep down and I respect him for that, but I think he knows that I did win that fight so he wants a re-match so that ‘s fine, I’ll happily oblige but obviously I’ve got to win and he’s got to win. Otherwise it doesn’t make sense.
“If he wants to do it, I’ll happily… he’s the one saying he wants a re-match. I’m saying I’ll happily fight you again. I’d love to fight him again, yeah.”
Your thoughts on Anderson Silva’s last fight against Demian Maia?
“I was not impressed by the performance. No, not really. You know, he looked great in the first couple of rounds and then you know it kind of went downhill from there really. I’m not sure what was playing out. I don’t know, you know I mean, Anderson Silva when he goes out and comes out hard and swinging and you know with vicious intent, you know he’s seem to be capable of taking care of most people and you know those last few rounds he didn’t look too great, you know, I had Demian Maia winning the last two rounds and you know I don’t know, it’s an interesting fight. I think when people go out… and Anderson’s hard and aggressive he fights best, you know, and I’m not saying Demian Maia was being passive but you know he was trying to get it to the ground, but I think everyone wants to fight him now. I know Alan Belcher said he wants to fight him now. I’d like to fight him…”
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