Michael Bisping has weighed in on the crowded UFC middleweight title picture after Sean Strickland reclaimed the 185-pound belt with a five-round split decision win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 in Newark.
The former UFC middleweight champion believes Nassourdine Imavov has earned his shot at Strickland, while also naming Joe Pyfer as a serious player in the race. “It was last August, so we’re coming up close to a year now. I don’t think sitting out on the sidelines gets you a title shot. He’s gotta fight again. In the meantime, there’s Imavov. He’s out there, he deserves the title shot. Joe Pyfer also just stopped Israel Adesanya, so I think that’s a great matchup. I’d love to see Israel fight Dricus. But Imavov deserves it.”
Bisping was blunt about Dricus Du Plessis’ position, pointing to his inactivity and a one-sided decision loss. “Dricus hasn’t fought since [UFC 319], he’s been inactive for a while,” Bisping said, later adding, “But Dricus is out of his mind if he thinks he deserves a title shot. I wouldn’t bet on Dricus for the title shot by sitting on the sideline in South Africa. I love Dricus, I’m a huge fan, so I’m not talking shit, but I know how the sport works. And you don’t lose a one-sided decision and then sit around for a year and then get given a title shot.”
Imavov, who has previously lost to Strickland, made his own stance clear on social media, writing, “Plenty of talk around the championship fight lately,” and, “I believe everyone will stand on what they said.”
Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev has called for an immediate rematch with Strickland, adding another name to an already heated title conversation.
