• UFC 159

Bisping set for minor surgery after Belcher fight

ESPN staff
April 26, 2013
Bisping told ESPN about the surgery


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Michael Bisping will head straight for surgery after his fight with Alan Belcher this weekend, although he does not expect a long absence.

Bisping first revealed to ESPN back in February that he has a nerve problem in his neck, which is causing a loss of strength down his right arm.

Several media outlets then speculated that the problem may force early retirement or a withdrawal from the Belcher fight, neither of which was ever substantiated by quotes from Bisping himself.

Since speaking to ESPN, the middleweight has visited a specialist, and will have the issue alleviated directly after his bout in New Jersey this weekend. Bisping, though, was keen to point out he views it as no excuse to lose a fight.

"I've still got the nerve issue, I need surgery but this fight got booked and there was no way I was going to cancel," the Brit told ESPN.

"I've got surgery scheduled for after the fight, it's only small surgery, I've got two vertebrae pushing together, pinching a nerve that causes numbness and loss of strength in the right arm.

"I've had that for a while, it's only that I've had it diagnosed now. It's not an excuse for the last fight, and it's certainly not an excuse ahead of this fight."

Bisping plans to get the problem corrected in time to fight again in July, before potentially fighting in the UK later this year.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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