Dana White: UFC champ Michael Bisping doesn't turn down fights, will meet UFC 213 winner next

LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White has plenty of fighters who duck fights on his roster. But champ Michael Bisping, he guarantees, isn’t one of them.

Bisping claimed the 185-pound crown in June of 2016, after stepping in on short notice to knock out Luke Rockhold in the first round of their UFC 199 encounter. His reign, however, hasn’t exactly been a popular one – starting with his lone title defense, a rematch against Dan Henderson that drew criticism for both the choice of challenger and, for some, even the unanimous decision that settled it.

But the main argument made against the champ is that he has yet to face the division’s higher-ranked contenders – such as Cuban standout Yoel Romero. And it didn’t really help his case when former welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre was announced as the next 185-pound challenger immediately upon his return from retirement.

The situation atop the UFC’s complicated middleweight division is bound to see a few new developments over the next few days. But, as of now, White can guarantee one thing.

“I’m going to tell you this: There are guys who turn down fights every day here – some I’m very public about, some I’m not, ” White recently told MMAjunkie in an exclusive sit-down interview. “Bisping does not turn down fights. Bisping does not turn down fights. He does not. So I have a lot of respect for Mike. I like guys (like him).

“You’re in the fight business. You should be willing to fight anybody, anywhere, any time – especially if you’re the champion or one of the top (expletive) five guys in the world. You shouldn’t be turning down fights with anybody. Bisping does not.”

Things have changed quite a bit since St-Pierre’s (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) return announcement. Given the Canadian ex-champ’s inability to fight any sooner than October, Romero (13-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) was declared the next title challenger. But then it was Bisping (30-7 MMA, 20-7 UFC) who couldn’t fight right away due to a knee injury.

Romero was then placed on a match for the division’s interim belt, opposite fast-rising star Robert Whittaker (18-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC). Currently ranked No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, Romero is on an eight-fight streak that includes his most recent knockout of ex-champ Chris Weidman at UFC 205. Whittaker, who’s on a seven-fight victorious run capped off by a UFC on FOX 24 TKO destruction of Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, sits at No. 4.

The pay-per-view interim title fight is set to co-headline this Saturday’s 213, which takes place at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. And, although St-Pierre hasn’t lost hope that his matchup with Bisping will happen, White says that the new interim titleholder will be the one meeting the English champ.

“(Bisping) is in line for the winner,” White said. “Bisping’s never turned down a fight, this guy. Me and Bisping go back a long way from his season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ and I’ve done a lot of things for Michael Bisping, and Michael Bisping’s done a lot of things for me.

“We have a really good relationship and we communicate a lot, even when we’re both not really happy with the situation and what’s going on. Me and Michael will get this done.”

On his end, Bisping isn’t exactly on board with the whole interim belt thing – which he considered “a little premature” and a mere “participation award.” But White is quite happy with what was ultimately a solution to a less-than-ideal scenario.

“I’m in this situation right now where Bisping’s hurt,” White said. “This should be Bisping vs. Romero right now. Whittaker just destroyed ‘Jacare’ and Romero has been beating everybody along the way, waiting for this title shot.

“Bisping’s not ready yet. And if there was ever an interim title fight, how is this one not worthy? This fight’s going to be ridiculous.”

To hear from White himself, check out the video above.

And for more on UFC 213, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.’