It sounds like UFC middleweight champion Michael “The Count” Bisping may be getting back into the Octagon for another fight very soon.
Bisping just defended his title for the first time against Dan Henderson earlier this month at UFC 204 and apparently has been called by the UFC to get prepared for another big fight.
According to BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor, Michael Bisping has been contacted to fight at UFC 206 this December.
I spoke to one of Michael Bisping's coaches who told me that
the UFC is targeting the champ to return at #UFC206 in Toronto, Canada.— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) October 20, 2016
Bisping was served a medical suspension after his bout against Henderson for 180 days or until cleared by a maxillofacial face and head CT scan. The middleweight champ was also served a minimum suspension of 60 days with 45 days no contact for a left infraorbital laceration, according to a medical suspension report from MMA Junkie.
Taylor points out that if given a clearance by a maxillofacial face and head CT scan, Bisping would be eligible to fight as UFC 206 would take place 63 days after the UFC 204 event.
Bisping was suspended 180 days after 204, but could be cleared by a head CT. His min suspension is 60 days, 206 falls 63 days after 204.
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) October 20, 2016
Bisping has fought 4 times in Canada, once in Toronto defeating Brian Stann via decision at UFC 152.
At this moment, many can point to Gegard Mousasi as the opponent for Bisping after coming off an impressive performance over Vitor Belfort also at UFC 204. Chris Weidman, Yoel Romero, Jacare Souza and Luke Rockhold are all already booked to fight, which leaves Mousasi as the only top five UFC ranked middleweight left without a fight scheduled.
However, one wildcard that could make UFC 206 a real hit would be the return of Georges St-Pierre, who is currently in Las Vegas, also home to the headquarters of the UFC.
Logic would say Mousasi vs Bisping, since all the other top
5 middleweights are booked but DO NOT count out GSP who is currently in Vegas.— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) October 20, 2016
Earlier this week, GSP announced on The MMA Hour that he was a free agent after his legal team terminated his contract with the UFC but is still willing to negotiate a new contract with the promotion. The UFC claims to have St-Pierre still under contract, however, we have yet to see how this one all plays out.
Another note to add under a potential GSP return is that the former UFC welterweight king has been enrolled in USADA’s random drug testing program and has been tested four times in the third quarter of 2016.
Aside from the UFC light heavyweight title fight between champion Daniel Cormier and contender Anthony Johnson, perhaps the next biggest fight is Cub Swanson vs. Dooho Choi, which leaves a lot of room on the pay-per-view card.
#UFC206 is in bad need of another big fight. It has Cormier vs. Johnson but the next biggest bout as of now is Choi vs. Swanson.
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) October 20, 2016
Who would you like to see Michael Bisping take on at UFC 206 in Toronto, Canada? Sound off in the comment section!