Michael Bisping Maintains Title Dreams Following UFC 186 Triumph

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Even at 36 years old, Michael Bisping has no intentions of abandoning his dreams.

While the outspoken Brit has alternated wins and losses since 2012, the middleweight strap is never far from his mind. Following an entertaining unanimous three-round verdict over C.B. Dollaway at UFC 186, “The Count” plans on working his way back to the top of the division.

“Obviously I’m always as motivated as I possibly can be going into every fight. I love doing this and I love being a part of this sport and I love being a part of the UFC,” Bisping said. “I want to do it for a long time. Losing two in a row doesn’t go hand in hand with being one of the best in the world. I think I am. I know I can get that belt one day. I’ve just got to keep winning fights now.”

It was an inauspicious beginning for Bisping on Saturday night. Dollaway floored his adversary with a left hook in the opening frame and pounced for a finish, but Bisping was able to maintain his composure and rally for a victory over the final two frames.

“I wasn’t necessarily hurt. Of course it was a decent shot and it put me down, but I completely had my faculties about me,” Bisping said. “I knew where I was and I knew what was going on. I also knew that one second I was on the feet trading shot and the next second I was on my ass. I was like, Oh s--t. This isn’t going according to plan,’ but I was fine.”

It was an encouraging recovery for Bisping, especially after what could’ve been a disheartening loss to Luke Rockhold in his previous outing this past November. The “TUF 3” veteran has been close to a title shot in the past only to falter at the most inopportune moments. He realizes that he’ll have to find some consistency to reach that ultimate goal.

“The results speak for themselves. I lost my last fight against Luke Rockhold. What can you say? A loss is a loss. The middleweight division right now is more stacked than what it’s ever been. The guys inside the top five, they’ve had better performances lately. They’ve won fights and I’ve lost a couple here and there,” he said.

“You’re only as good as your last fight. That was a great fight [against Dollaway] but it wasn’t the performance I wanted,” he continued. “I wanted a stoppage. But [it was] a good win over a top 10 opponent, and hopefully I continue that form in the summer. Hopefully when I do that then I’ll start talking about a title shot. No one’s putting me out to pasture and as I’ve said many times: I ain’t going nowhere.”