When Michael Bisping won the UFC middleweight title last summer, it was a feel-good story fit for Disney, but in a top heavy division filled with a backlog of viable title challengers, the former Ultimate Fighter winner was expected to lose his belt in his first title defense. But thanks to some fortunate circumstances, Bisping has instead avoided all of the top contenders in his weight class, instead having a revenge fight with Dan Henderson and now being set to face former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre in his return to the octagon after a four-year retirement. After his fight with St-Pierre, Bisping is supposed to face interim title holder Robert Whittaker in a unification bout but the middleweight champion seems set on continuing the controversial theme of his title reign.

On the most recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping said that UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has been making overtures about a fight with him, and that after he beats St-Pierre, he would be happy to fight Cormier.

“Speaking of guys that think they can take me - which of course when I say this, most people are gonna think he can take me - I was working with Daniel Cormier at the weekend and . . . all he kept talking about all weekend was, ‘Mike, I want to fight you next. I want to fight you.’ On air, off air, at the hotel, constantly. He was like, ‘Mike, I will break you within five minutes.’ Dude, are you crazy? Do you really believe that?

“I don’t know if he’s joking or if he’s serious, but if he is serious, I’ll fight him next even though I said last week I’m gonna retire. I would fight Daniel Cormier because that would be a huge fight. DC is a great guy, he’s hilarious, hell of a fighter and he seems to be targeting a fight with me. So DC, if you’re serious, which I kind of think you are, then yeah, screw it, if only to annoy everyone in the world I will, again, fight somebody who doesn’t fight at middleweight.”

Bisping’s future plans after the St-Pierre fight have been the cause of much speculation lately and even Bisping admitted that he may retire after the fight depending on how everything goes. But if he doesn’t retire, moving up to challenge Cormier, who was recently reinstated as the light heavyweight champion following the continued issues of Jon Jones, isn’t beyond the pale. After all, Bisping began his career at 205 pounds, winning The Ultimate Fighter season three light heavyweight tournament, and before losing the controversial split decision to Rashad Evans that prompted him to drop down to 185 pounds, amassing an undefeated record as a top prospect in the division. Bisping’s parting shot to Cormier reminded the light heavyweight champion of these facts before issuing him a warning.

“I used to fight at 205, Dan. I was 15-0 so be careful what you wish for.”

Michael Bisping defends his UFC middleweight title against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 on Nov. 4 in Madison Square Garden.

---

MUST-READ STORIES

Salt. Luke Rockhold doesn’t believe Bisping nor GSP will fight Robert Whittaker.

215. Ray Borg explains the illness that kept him out of UFC 215.

Hopes. Despite back injury, Paige VanZant hoping to fight again before end of year.

Winning. Bellator tops the UFC in ratings over this past weekend.

---

VIDEO STEW

Couple of free fights from DWTNCS.

TTTHS.

In advance of the big fight, let’s peep some highlight reels.

---

LISTEN UP

UFC Unfiltered. Eddie Alvarez joins to talk about TUF, Poirier, and Gaethje.

Fights Gone By. Jack Slack on the weekend of combat sports, including ADCC reaction.

---

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

This is strange as hell.

Pumped about moving up to number 2.

And so it begins.

Interesting.

That’s a lot.

Also, are they friends?

Also, Cyborg branching out.

CC has never watched any sports movie ever it seems.

Seriously, make this fight happen.

---

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Aspen Ladd (5-0) vs. Lina Lansberg (7-2); UFC Gdansk, Oct. 21.

Lance Palmer (11-3) vs. Steven Siler (30-16); PFL Washington, Nov. 2.

Phil Davis (17-4, 1 NC) vs. Leo Leite (10-0); Bellator 186, Nov. 3.

---

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2002: Ricco Rodriguez stopped Randy Couture to win the vacant UFC heavyweight title at UFC 39. Tim Sylvia also made his UFC debut, knocking out Cabbage Correira

2014: At UFC 178, Demetrious Johnson submitted Chris Cariaso to retain his flyweight title. In the co-main event, Eddie Alvarez made his UFC debut, losing a decision to Donald Cerrone. This event also featured Dominick Cruz finally returning to the UFC after a three year injury layoff, demolishing Takeya Mizugaki in 61 seconds.

2015: Uriah Hall scored one of the most impressive comeback wins in UFC history, knocking out Gegard Mousasi with a spinning back kick and flying knee at UFC Fight Night 75.

---

FINAL THOUGHTS

According to yesterday’s poll, a healthy majority of y’all favor GSP in a hypothetical fight with Conor. I think I agree but I am definitely interested in seeing how GSP looks after four years off. That’s a long time away.

Anyway, take it easy everyone and see y’all tomorrow.

---

EXIT POLL

---

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.