Romero sets sights on interim title bout vs. Silva in wake of snub
A frustrated Yoel Romero isn't going to wallow in self pity until his number is called.
The middleweight contender had been expected to challenge divisional champ Michael Bisping at some point this year, only for the champ to take a superfight with the returning Georges St-Pierre, which is still without a date. UFC president Dana White promptly assured the media Romero would be looked after in the meantime, but as the fighter told Ariel Helwani on "The MMA Hour" Monday, his management and the promotion have yet to hash out a plan. When asked who he deemed responsible for the snub, an admittedly "bothered" Romero pointed the finger at the increasingly maligned champ.
"I think the person that should assume responsibility is whoever has the belt," Romero said via translator. "St-Pierre, he's not at fault here at all. If somebody offers you a $100 chocolate bar, you're going to take it, because they're offering it to you. That's what happened with St-Pierre. They offered him a chocolate bar and he took it. But the person that needed to know what's doubted is Michael Bisping, because people doubt that he's a champion."
July's International Fight Week and the third quarter of 2017 have been tossed around as target dates for Bisping's dance with GSP, which could keep Romero from getting his deserved shot until next year. While most fighters with Romero's years would be fretting at the narrowing window of opportunity, the Cuban maintains he's "still in the flower of his 15th birthday," and has set his sights on an interim title fight opposite Anderson Silva to put the wheels of his climb to the top in motion, citing the state of the middleweight title picture and St-Pierre's reluctance to commit to a division.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea and it would be good in general, a fight with Anderson Silva. Just to get rid of any cobwebs, anything that's out there. An interim title would be really nice, just to leave everything how it needs to be. Start that legacy."
As for Bisping's promise to finally face him on just a six-week turnaround once he's done with GSP, Romero remains skeptical as to whether the champ's word is his bond.
"I would like to believe him, but the word of God says 'damn the man that believes in the word of men.' But I would like to believe him."