Riding high on an eight-fight win-streak, which includes triumphs over names like Derek Brunson, Brad Tavares, Tim Kennedy, Lyoto Machida, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Chris Weidman, Cuba’s Yoel Romero has done pretty much all he can possibly do to earn a shot a UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.
The same can be said of 26-year-old Kiwi Robert Whittaker, who recently extended his middleweight record to a perfect 6-0 with a dominating TKO win over Jacare.
The next middleweight title shot, of course, is expected to go to returning former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. In terms of the next title shot thereafter, however, Bisping himself believes Whittaker is far more deserving of the opportunity than Romero. The champ explained his reasoning on his Podcast, Believe You Me (via MMAFighting.com). His words:
“Listen, I’ve got no qualms fighting Robert Whittaker. Let’s just make that abundantly clear right now. Yoel Romero is a dirty, lying, cheating scumbag. If you want to do Whittaker after I’ve beaten GSP, we can. If not, I’ll do Romero. But I see Robert as a more worthy contender. He stopped Jacare, Romero didn’t stop Jacare. And Robert hasn’t tested positive for steroids so really I think it should be Robert next. Let’s officially now start the campaign that after I beat GSP, it should be Robert Whittaker. Robert Whittaker vs. Michael Bisping because – okay, maybe there’s a case that he’s the most worthy contender – but more importantly, just to fuck with Yoel Romero. He is the only fight I will take after Georges St-Pierre. I just think, all those things together, Robert Whittaker – okay, admittedly, way better matchup for me stylistically – but, facts are facts and I think he should be the No. 1 contender.”
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What do you think of Michael Bisping’s assessment of the Robert Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero contendership race? Sound off, PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/19/2017.