Michael Bisping makes case for Pereira v Whittaker & encourages Israel Adesanya to take some time off
Michael Bisping would be okay with Israel Adesanya getting an immediate title rematch and also made the case for Robert Whittaker as the next top contender.
This past Saturday, former UFC middleweight champion Adesanya faced longtime rival Alex Pereira in the headlining bout of UFC 281. Adesanya appeared to be on his way, ahead on the judges’ scorecards, to a victory when Pereira scored a fifth-round TKO to become the new 185-pound titleholder.
Michael Bisping praised Israel Adesanya and encouraged him to take some time off
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping took to YouTube to share his thoughts on Adesanya’s dominant reign before finally being defeated by Pereira.
“Now we don’t know what the UFC is going to do, I have no idea,” Bisping said (ht Middle Easy). “Me, personally, I think he’s he deserves a rematch. I think he has been such a great champion. He’s been entertaining. He’s been charismatic. He’s been a workhorse for the UFC. They said on the commentary that ever since Israel won the belt, he has competed in 20% of the UFC title fights. I mean, that is phenomenal.
“What a schedule, what a workload, the toll that takes on the body and mentally as well. It is incredibly draining. So maybe Izzy, you know, can go away and take a little bit of time out, a little bit of time and have a little well-earned rest.”
Bisping would like to see Robert Whittaker get a title shot if the rematch doesn’t happen
Bisping further argued former champion Robert Whittaker should be in line for a title shot if the rematch did not come to fruition.
“I would like to see an immediate rematch, failing that, it’s Alex Pereira versus Robert Whittaker,” he said. “Robert Whittaker is clearly the next guy in line if you ask me. He’s beaten everybody else and is head and shoulders as the next best guy after Israel. Well, of course, we got Pereira there now as well.
“So, Pereira as the champ, Izzy in my mind takes a little break, in the meantime, Pereira fights Robert Whittaker.”
