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It appears the beef between Jorge Masvidal and Michael Bisping isn’t likely to end anytime soon.
Earlier this week, Masvidal went on The MMA Hour where he discussed an altercation he had with Bisping at UFC Shanghai, claiming that the former middleweight champion screamed obscenities at him before trying to fight him in the hotel lobby. But apparently Bisping does not remember the situation the same way. Speaking on his Believe You Me podcast this week, Bisping responded to Masvidal’s story, saying that he has never tried to fight the “little scumbag.”
“He’s a f**king idiot,” said Bisping. “I don’t even know where to begin. First of all, at Madison Square Garden when I fought GSP at UFC 217 last year, we didn’t nearly come to blows. He was talking s**t, I was walking through the lobby, and I talked a bit of s**t back. That was it. I had no intentions of getting into a fight with a little scumbag like that. I’m not gonna lower myself - I’ve got a huge fight with Georges St-Pierre, why am I gonna start rolling around in a hotel lobby two days before that fight with somebody that honestly isn’t on my radar. I don’t know who he is, I don’t know anything about him.
“Here’s what happened in Shanghai. He’s always there, he’s always talking s**t. He’s a little a**hole, whatever. As I’m walking through the lobby, I see him and just give him the middle finger. I walk past and I go “f**k you” just as I’m walking by. I just lost a fight, I wasn’t in the best mood and that’s all it was. I wasn’t trying to get at anybody. I don’t go around trying to attack people in hotel lobbies.
“You know where Jorge Masvidal resonates with me? The other day I was biting my fingernails - you ever bite your fingernails and when you rip it off, you take a bit of skin with you? It’s annoying and it stings but it’s not really there, it’s only now and again. He’s about that level. That’s how much you resonate on my radar Jorge Masvidal. . . That’s what you’re like: you are an annoyance, you’re always there, but in a couple of days you’ll be gone.”
Masvidal and Bisping’s beef stems back to when Bisping tore up a Cuban flag while sitting cageside for a Yoel Romero fight. Masvidal is of Cuban descent and did not take the actions lightly and began lobbing shots at Bisping via social media, calling for a fight with the former light heavyweight. Bisping has never seemed particularly perturbed by Masvidal’s dislike of him and maintains that he has no interest in fighting him anywhere, neither inside nor outside the cage, even offering Masvidal an olive branch of sorts: let’s both just leave it be.
“I find the guy pathetic, I really do,” said Bisping. “Get a life, get a grip. I honestly don’t even want to give him this much time but Ariel has a big show, a lot of people watch The MMA Hour so I kind of feel like I have to put my side out there. Anyway, Jorge, forget I exist. Keep my name out of your mouth, and I’ll do the same. I’m not lowering myself to your level.
“I’m 39 years old with three kids, you think I’m interested in trying to fight with somebody that honestly I don’t even know. Do I care for him? No, I don’t. Do I respect him? Obviously not. He handles himself like a piece of s**t but I’m not interested in trying to fight Jorge Masvidal, whether it’s in the UFC, in a parking lot, whatever it is. Just move on with your life, focus on your UFC career - you’re dwindling UFC career. He’s lost fights at lightweight for crying out loud. I used to fight at light heavyweight, I’m a middleweight, I certainly don’t go looking for fights against lightweights. So get a grip, Jorge Masvidal.”
Unfortunately for Masvidal, it appears he won’t get his wish to see “one of the Latin fighters to break his face” as Bisping appears to be done with his MMA career. The future Hall of Famer ended the segment by saying that he is functionally retired from MMA now and has no real intention of ever fighting again, despite the fact that many people are calling him out.
“[Luke Rockhold] is a fight that does make sense but I’m retired,” said Bisping. “Everyone is calling me out . . . but I have no intention of fighting, let’s be honest. I’m retired. I haven’t made it official yet but I’m probably retired. Of course, when I say probably, that still gives me a window to come back but I’m probably retired.”
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VIDEO STEW
Embedded 2 & 3.
Chael on the upcoming fight weekend.
The perks of being Cyborg.
TTTHS.
LISTEN UP
Heavy Hands. Previewing UFC 224 and the old man clash between Belfort and Machida.
Bushido Talk. Discussing the ESPN deal and GSP vs. Nate Diaz.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Conor sparring.
SHADE.
Shirt should say 25x didn't sign the contract https://t.co/FpAxRfm4Qg
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) May 9, 2018
A+ fight promotion right here.
Home game for us here in San Jose on Saturday and we’re having some fun tomorrow at @ikesplace! Come down and see @KingMoFH & @ryanbader throwdown at the sandwich showdown! #Bellator199 pic.twitter.com/Umii7AXs44
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) May 8, 2018
So no fighting just yet @KingMoFH and @ryanbader have a sandwich making comp ... Saturday they will be eating fists knees elbows #bellator199 @BellatorMMA pic.twitter.com/B3Jc9JSQZz
— Gareth A Davies (@GarethADaviesDT) May 10, 2018
Competition was stiff but @ryanbader came out on top with his "Master Bader Salami Sandwich" to take the W! #Bellator199 #BellatorWGP pic.twitter.com/4kPV7Bikch
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 10, 2018
Tito wants that money.
Poor Hooker.
Who did I piss off at the UFC ??? First I get put on the @ALIAQUINTA bonus ban and now this...... https://t.co/PIOKSiDcIW
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) May 9, 2018
Also, Al is great.
I feel for you man wish you at least got to wreck a hotel room or curse at someone or something
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) May 9, 2018
And there’s a silver lining!
They took your and my victim lol... So what you think? Let’s do it? July 7 Vegas?? https://t.co/YV1bj87rWE
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) May 9, 2018
Bruv u get me a contract for July 7 and I'll sign it today! https://t.co/RfBoa49wAf
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) May 10, 2018
Done ✅ @seanshelby @AliAbdelaziz00 @danawhite @ufc
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) May 10, 2018
LETS DO IT https://t.co/7KBUkY886P
Dave Rickels has been stepping up his Twitter game.
Me directly after whippin on MVP #Bellator200 pic.twitter.com/fPfAiSJgRi
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) May 10, 2018
Slater would f*** y’all up.
PICK
— AJ Agazarm (@TheFloridaBoy) May 9, 2018
ya
POISON pic.twitter.com/ZZZzu50CrC
Perry working the mitts at Jackson-Wink.
Everyone is at Jackson-Wink these days.
Sage’s outfit though.
Just got done tearing up the mini golf with @sameyastar and @CoStarExp pic.twitter.com/KHgKZZjgZt
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) May 9, 2018
50 talking to King Mo and then Bader.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Darren Elkins (24-5) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (17-1); UFC Boise, July 14.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2002: Murilo Bustamente submitted Matt Lindland twice to retain his UFC middleweight title at UFC 37. This event also featured the UFC debut of Robbie Lawler, who won a unanimous decision over Aaron Riley.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Does Bisping ever fight again?
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