British middleweight star challenges for the UFC middleweight title on short notice this weekend and says he’s in the shape of his life ahead of the biggest bout of his career
MICHAEL Bisping is in great shape ahead of his world title clash with Luke Rockhold, despite just two weeks’ worth of fight prep.
‘The Count’ looked in fine fettle as he worked out with head coach Jason Parillo in front of a packed house at the UFC Gym in Torrance, Los Angeles.
And the Brit said the short-notice call may actually see him step into the Octagon more relaxed and in the best shape of his career.
“There’s no pressure,” he said.
“Listen, I know I’m expected to lose. I know everybody’s got me as the underdog, but I don’t see myself as the underdog.
“I’m performing amazingly as if I’ve done a full camp, but I’m fresh, I’m explosive, I’m strong.
“Whenever I start my training camps I always feel like this, but by the end of eight weeks...
“You know, I’ve learned now - because this is the first time I’ve had a short-notice fight - this is the way to do it, to look after yourself and to turn it up.”
Bisping had just finished shooting the upcoming xXx movie alongside Vin Diesel, Samuel L Jackson and Tony Jaa in Canada when he received the call offering him a long-awaited title shot.
And the Brit - who usually has an eight-week training camp ahead of his fights - launched straight into an intensive two-week mini-camp to get set for Saturday night’s huge fight at UFC 199.
“I had two and a half weeks of intense work,” he said.
“I feel fantastic, I feel strong, I feel explosive, I’ve got no injuries and my nervous system is still firing.
“Eight weeks - it’s a long time, and because it means so much to me and because I train so hard, I drive myself into the floor.
“I’m coming in fresh, believe you me.”
Despite the fact this weekend represents the biggest fight of Bisping’s career, the Brit has never looked more relaxed going into a fight.
And he even admitted finally getting into a title fight has come as a relief and, rather than added pressure, it’s actually lifted the pressure from his shoulders.
“I’m just happy,” he explained.
“I’m relieved. I’ve been going for this long and here it is, I get my title shot.
“I believe the short camp will be beneficial and I’ve said it before and I know these words are cheesy, but I do believe it’s my destiny.
“When I was eight years old when I first put gloves on I knew I would be world champion one day.
“And I’ve worked tirelessly, you have no idea how hard I’ve worked. That’s why I can take fights at two weeks’ notice - I look after myself.
“I’ve had 26 fights in the UFC. I’ve had over 40 professional fights. I’ve had God knows how many kickboxing matches, jiu jitsu tournaments. I won the silver medal in jiu jitsu when I was 16 years’ old in New Zealand.
“This is a lifetime’s work, this is not an accident.”
And after completing his preparations, Bisping says he’s in unstoppable shape and primed to spring a surprise and unseat Rockhold, who is considered one of the most gifted athletes in the UFC.
“Everything’s perfect,” Bisping said.
“The conditions are perfect, I feel good, my energy levels are high, my weight is perfect.
“I know Rockhold. I know what he’s capable of. I know he’s a very good fighter. But the opponent isn’t important - it’s about me.
“It’s about me fulfilling my destiny and whether or not it’s Luke Rockhold, Muhammad Ali or Godzilla, it doesn’t matter.
“It’s gonna take a bullet to the brain to stop me on Saturday night.
“I’ve said it before, two years, two weeks, two months, two days. I don’t care. I’ll fight anyone, any time, any place.
“I’m gonna walk off a movie set, I’m gonna walk into that Octagon, I’m gonna take Luke Rockhold’s belt.
“And he’s going to lie on the floor and he’s gonna wake up looking at the stars and go “F**k! This guy just beat me on two weeks’ notice.”
