UFC middleweight contender Michael Bisping has seemingly been “in the mix” for a title shot for the past several years, but it has never materialized. His upcoming fight with Vitor Belfort in Brazil could see Bisping in about as prime a position to finally reach the top of the division as he’s ever had. But Bisping finds himself frustrated with the way Chael Sonnen has received yet another title shot, his 3rd one in two years, while he’s never been in one. From ESPN UK:
“I can understand it from a business perspective because Chael sells,” Bisping told ESPN.
“But it’s frustrating because I’ve been waiting my whole career for a title shot, and the guy’s had three out of his last five fights be title fights.
“But I do understand and it’ll be a great season of The Ultimate Fighter.”
While Sonnen’s latest title shot is ridiculous and is a clear mismatch, his middleweight shots were definitely earned. Unlike Bisping, Sonnen defeated top 10 level opposition Yushin Okami and Nate Marquardt to set up the first Silva fight, then defeated Stann and Bisping for his 2nd shot.
Bisping has only one win against a top 10 middleweight, a decision win over Stann at UFC 152. The previous times he has faced top-level opposition he came up short, whether that be Chael Sonnen, Rashad Evans (at 205), Dan Henderson, or even Wanderlei Silva. Beating the likes of Jorge Rivera, Dan Miller, Jason Miller, etc. isn’t anything that screams “title contender”, so this fight with Belfort will be the biggest of his career, as he’d have consecutive wins over contending MWs and he would finally have a legitimate case for a title shot. But if he loses, he will once again be waiting for a crack at the belt.