Michael Bisping challenges Nick Diaz to fight at UFC 206

UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is always ready to fight, even if he just went through a tough one. After Bisping won a decision against Dan Henderson at UFC 204, he said he’d take the rest of the year off, until a possible fight with Georges St. Pierre was discussed for UFC 206.

Bisping and St. Pierre went back and forth through the media about the potential fight, until GSP responded and stated that the fight wouldn’t be happening, even though he made peace with UFC president Dana White.

With a potential fight against GSP off the table, Bisping has turned to Nick Diaz, calling him out for a fight at 206 in Toronto. On his SiriusXM radio show this week, Bisping called out Diaz for a fight, saying he’s “down to fight ASAP”.

Nick Diaz is returning from an 18-month suspension for failed drug tests and has yet to fight since being reinstated in early August. Nick’s younger brother Nate made headlines and broke records with his two fights against UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor when they fought in the welterweight division at both UFC 196 and 202.

Bisping became middleweight champion at UFC 199 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold in the first round and then successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision win over Dan Henderson at UFC 204.

Prior to his fights with Rockhold and Henderson, Bisping defeated Anderson Silva by way of unanimous decision as well. After he defended his title against Henderson, Bisping ranted on middleweight challengers Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero, and Jacare Souza and where they stand in the division.

All four of fighters are booked for fights in the near feature as Weidman will take on Romero at UFC 205 and Rockhold will fight Jacare Souza at UFC Fight Night 101 on November 26 in Australia.

With the top challengers booked for fights, Bisping seems to have his focus set on getting a fight at UFC 206 as long as his opponent is a needle mover.

“If anybody wants to do it, I’ll do it. As long as it’s not some new pup that just signed with the UFC, I’m down to fight. I’ll fight anyone, I’ll say it again and I’m not trying to sound like a tough ass but I’ll fight anybody as long as it makes sense business wise. I’m not going to risk my reputation and my title against some chump, but if there’s a lot of money on the line, then I’ll do it. If Nick Diaz wants to go at UFC 206, formally, officially, I invite you to sign the bout agreement, let’s do it.

There has been no response from Nick Diaz as of yet, and if he does respond, there is still a $75,000 fine he has to pay to the Nevada Athletic Commission before he can officially fight again.

UFC 206 will feature a light-heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, and if there’s room for one more big fight, it seems as if Michael Bisping would like his name to be added to the fight card.