Weidman fires back: Bisping's title reign won't be 'going on very long'
In the latest of an ongoing war of words between Chris Weidman and UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping, the former division king thinks the incumbent's days as a titleholder are numbered.
Bisping disparaged Weidman in an expletive-laced column last week, imploring the former champ to stop "whining," get back in the cage and win a fight before challenging the Brit for his title. The Long Island native was not surprised by Bisping's comments, but pointedly reminded him how much quicker he'd won his middleweight strap.
"That sounds like Michael Bisping. The guy has been hating on my accomplished career since the beginning," Weidman told FOX Sports' Damon Martin. "I came in and went right through the ranks and was fighting Anderson Silva for the championship at 9-0, meanwhile that guy was in the UFC for I don't know how much longer than me and has way more fights than me and wasn't close to getting to that point."
"The Count" actually has Weidman to thank – if only partially – for the title shot that had eluded him for a decade. Bisping was tapped to meet then-champion Luke Rockhold on short notice at UFC 199 after Weidman had to bow out due to injury. The Brit dethroned Rockhold by first-round knockout, and the man he replaced has been chomping at the bit for a crack at him ever since.
Bisping is set to defend the strap against former foe Dan Henderson at UFC 204 in his native Manchester. While Weidman respects Henderson's track record, he's of the mind the UFC is going easy on Bisping by pitting him against the aging veteran.
"(Bisping) holding that belt, they gave him a very gracious first title defense. I don't know the last time someone got a first title defense against a 46-year-old guy and that's with all due respect to Dan Henderson, because the guy's a legend, he's probably one of my favorite fighters but in recent years, but he hasn't accomplished the things that would deserve a title fight."
That being said, Henderson always stands a fighting chance thanks to his patented right hand, dubbed the "H-Bomb," which put Bisping to sleep in their first dance at UFC 100.
"Bisping's got a great opponent, but I still think he can lose this fight. I still think he can get knocked out. Him holding the belt's not going to be going on very long."
Weidman has belittled Bisping's merit as a champion before, alleging he's been embarrassed to admit the 37-year-old now rules the division.
It could be months before the New York native settles his beef with "The Count," as he's been rumored to face Yoel Romero in a homecoming at UFC 205. The whispers will be addressed at Tuesday afternoon's presser at Madison Square Garden.