LAS VEGAS -- Michael Bisping's long-awaited UFC middleweight title shot just might be in reach.

At Saturday night's TUF 16 Finale postfight news conference, UFC president Dana White indicated that if the British veteran wins his next fight, he's likely to get the next shot at Anderson Silva's crown.

"If Bisping wins, Bisping will probably will get that next shot. If not, we'll see what happens."

Of course, there's still a formidable hurdle in the "Ultimate Fighter 3" champion's path, as he'll meet former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in the main event at UFC on FX 7 on Jan. 19 in Brazil.

But if Bisping does defeat Belfort, that would mark six wins in Bisping's past seven fights. And with Chris Weidman on the shelf for the foreseeable future, the path to a potential title shot finally seems to have cleared for Bisping (23-4) to get his long-awaited crack at the gold.