• UFC 127

Bisping wants victory 'in the worst possible way'

ESPN staff
February 10, 2011
Michael Bisping is determined to come face-to-face with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva © UFC
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Victory has never meant more to Michael Bisping, according to UFC chief Marshall Zelaznik.

Bisping is heading into what he calls a "quarter-final" against Jorge Rivera at UFC 127, knowing victory would propel him towards a potential UFC middleweight title eliminator.

The likes of Yushin Okami or Brian Stann could be next on the agenda for Bisping, who is making his second - and potentially final - run at middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

First he must overcome Rivera, a man with thunderous hands who has stopped the likes of Nate Quarry and Kendall Grove. Defeat is unthinkable for Bisping, and Zelaznik insists the Briton is well aware of how much is riding on the bout.

"Jorge has a lot of following in the media out there [in Sydney], people are excited to see him fight," Zelaznik told ESPN ahead of the February 27 encounter.

"Bisping looks so much more comfortable on his feet nowadays, he's always been a great striker, but you can see both guys standing in the pocket and Mike thinking, 'I'm faster, I'm stronger and I'm going to put you down'. Then you get Jorge thinking the exact opposite, he'll try to impose his will.

"Bisping wants this win in the worst way. This fight is very, very important to Mike."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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