There has been some buzz over the past few days that Michael Bisping would be matched up with Demian Maia at UFC on Fox in his next fight following the Brit’s destruction of Jason Miller. Now it seems the pieces are falling into place for that to become a reality at the Chicago press conference on Wednesday.
First, just days ago, Dana White was hinting at Bisping getting a spot on the card (via ESPN):
…A collision, possibly with Demian Maia, is a “possibility” for the Fox card in January.
“UFC on Fox 2 will have three headliners, we just haven’t announced the other one yet,” White toldMMA Fighting, having already announced Rashad Evans v Phil Davis and Sonnen v Munoz.
He was then asked, ‘Are you implying Bisping may be on that card as well?’, to which White replied: “It’s a possibility.”
After doing some follow-up I was told by sources close to the situation to expect that Maia vs. Bisping would be announced this week.
Late Tuesday night, Bisping tweeted out
It does seem that the only reason for Bisping to fly to Chicago would be to make the announcement.
This would make the UFC on Fox 2 broadcast card:
Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz
Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia
So no title fights, but a lot of top ten fighters all positioning themselves to challenge for a title.
UPDATE: The UFC has now officially announced Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia for the UFC on Fox 2 card: