• UFC 127

Bisping camp cite 'catalyst' Phinney in official statement

Michael Bisping and Jorge Rivera formed one of the most hate-fuelled wars in UFC history in Sydney © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Hardy defends Bisping over UFC 127 spitting row
  
• News: Diabate 'not surprised' by 'explosive' Bisping
  
• News: Fight Sonnen or get cut... Bisping gets UFC ultimatum
  
• News: Rivera suffered no lasting damage reveals ref Goddard
  
• News: White 'considering fine and suspension' for Bisping
  
• News: Sonnen writes to UFC asking to fight Michael 'Spitsbing'
  
• News: White admits Bisping 'is in trouble'
  
• News: Bisping denies illegal knee and spitting accusations
  
• News: Bisping tells 'loser' Rivera to go home after TKO win
  
• Profile: Michael Bisping

For exclusive reaction, including Michael Bisping's analysis of his victory over Jorge Rivera, don't miss the first edition of ESPN's new UFC Podcast on Wednesday

Michael Bisping's Wolf's Lair camp and manager, Anthony McGann, have released a statement in defence of the Briton's actions at UFC 127, citing Jorge Rivera's coach Matt Phinney as the catalyst for the controversies that unravelled.

Bisping is likely to face punishment from the UFC following his victory over Rivera, after he allegedly spat in the direction of Phinney, who had gone out of his way to mock Bisping in the pre-fight build-up.

In McGann's statement on the official Wolf's Lair website, Bisping's team acknowledge that their own fighter's actions were "wrong", and they accept that trash talk was merely "business". However, McGann explains that Phinney's involvement was "childish" and not worthy of the respectful etiquette that the UFC attempts to adhere to in the modern era.

"Let me begin first by saying that in five years of competing in the UFC at every level, we have never encountered a more unprofessional outfit than Jorge Rivera's camp," writes McGann.

"All the teams who rub shoulders regularly at all the events are always polite, respectful and courteous to each other, regardless of any of the fighters' smack talk or actions. All the camps will attest to this. Along comes this [Matt] Phinney guy out of the blue, he is Rivera's boxing coach and the guy who features heavily in the YouTube videos making fun of Mike Bisping.

"These videos were made with two purposes. One was to promote their tee shirt line Ranger Up and the second was to goad Mike into a brawl as this was their only chance of winning the fight. Okay, no problem so far, business is business and if that's [what they rely on] to win a fight then more power to them.

"The videos poked fun at Mike in a personal way and to English people in general and had a huge amount of success. If you combine the numbers on YouTube over the four videos I believe we're in the half million bracket. So let's be clear this wasn't just banter going back and forth, it was significant. Once again at this stage still no problem. It was adding hype to the fight.

"The real problems begin in the hotel in Australia. As always fighters are staying in close proximity in the hotel for over a week and during the day the camps pass each other. Normally the fighters will be tense with their opponent but the teams always remain neutral and polite. Rivera's crew were mocking Mike and laughing at him and Jorge even gave an interview to Fanhouse saying if Mike was a man he would confront him in the hotel.This situation was the reason for the emotional weigh-ins and throughout the catalyst was Phinney.

"In fact Rivera had two more coaches who never participated in any of this, they did act professional. It was always Rivera and Phinney. If you look at all the Ranger Up YouTube stuff it seems Phinney is the driving force behind the company and it was him even up to the point on the scale who was constantly goading Mike. I believe he should have concentrated more on real fight preparation like we did than silly childish games and behaviour.

"This fight was not your normal fight, the hype was immense and I am sure the fans felt this. The illegal knee was what it was, Mike was over excited and timed it wrong. He is not known for illegal blows although this does happen in the sport from time to time. Whilst Rivera was recovering, Phinney was shouting obscenities to Mike. If you look you can see Mike give him the finger in reply. He was also hurling abuse at our cornermen, once again this behaviour is unheard of in the UFC.

"Mike was still emotional and asked Rivera for an apology, still Phinney was shouting abuse and Mike replied to him. Mike did spit but on the floor in his direction not on him. Phinney was hurling abuse at Mike and our cornermen the whole time. His behaviour at the cage was disgusting and unbefitting of the UFC and I won't go into any more detail as Phinney doesn't deserve any notoriety. He does not reflect in anyway the normal conduct of us and the rest of the teams. If that's how he has behaved at other events then he needs to go back to them. Although I believe that after this we won't be hearing much of Mr Phinney anymore.

"Mike apologised in the press conference for losing his cool, he apologised on the post fight with Joe Rogan; the joke is, after all the efforts the Rivera's camp made to create this situation, it was them who complained afterwards not us, we have more respect for the UFC and did not want to make an issue of their behaviour."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.