• UFC 120

'It's time to put up or shut up' - Bisping

Michael Bisping roared back to beat Denis Kang © UFC

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Bisping facing 'rude awakening' says Condit
  
• News: Bisping won't 'fight like a lunatic' to become champion
  
• Profile: Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping has stated in no uncertain terms that it is time for him to 'put up or shut up' when he headlines UFC 120 on Saturday.

Bisping is the original British title hope in the UFC, the man who brought the sport of MMA to the English masses, and the man who went 14 fights unbeaten in his career. However, just when it seemed one more win would earn him an elusive title shot, Bisping suffered a defeat of such epic proportions to Dan Henderson that his career has been in a state of flux ever since.

The Henderson knockout at UFC 100 was the first time Bisping had been stopped, and there have been question marks over his chin ever since. Denis Kang dropped him at UFC 105 and Wanderlei Silva did likewise at UFC 110, which - combined with victory over Dan Miller - all adds up to a 2-2 record in his last four fights.

That kind of form will never get Bisping a shot at Anderson Silva, yet there can be little arguing that Bisping has the ability to go on a tear in the 185lb division. The one thing the Briton cannot afford is defeat to Yoshihiro Akiyama this weekend, which would surely leave Bisping closer to gatekeeper status than title challenger, and he admits it is time for him to finally transfer the class he shows in training to the spotlight of the Octagon.

"You know, I feel I've got it in me to run for the title," said Bisping. "I'm well rounded, and I'm one of the better athletes in there. So, you know, I do believe.

"Obviously I've got to put up or shut up. I've got to walk the walk. It's all well and good me sitting here talking about it. People don't want to hear that; they want to see results.

"That's what I plan to deliver on October 16th."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.