Anderson Silva’s list of demands almost resulted in a no-show at last week’s public workouts which ended in a face-to-face altercation, claimed Michael Bisping.
The Brazilian legend (33-6-1) will come to London to fight England's UFC flag-bearer but the pair went nose-to-nose and exchanged pleasantries at an event in Los Angeles which Bisping (28-7) insists was nearly ruined by Silva's attitude.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Bisping expressed disgust at Silva's behaviour in front of his adoring fans and insisted his true personality is hidden beneath a respectful exterior.
"Here's some inside information - the guy is an absolute fake," Bisping said. "Up until the very last minute, Anderson wasn't going to show up at the open workouts. I know this from very reliable inside-information.
"He wasn't going to turn up because he wasn't happy about this, he wasn't happy about that. Finally he turns up with a huge entourage like he's Mike Tyson.
"He gets in the cage with 20 people which was misdirection to take the attention off himself. He's posing for photos acting like butter wouldn't melt.
"He was passive-aggressive and condescending to me but I couldn't care less because we're going to fight. But then afterwards, his manager is calling my coach to ask me not to [criticise Anderson].
"The guy is a fake who can speak English but chooses to use a translator. He showed me that he's too confident at the open workouts by messing around with his friends. Me? I had a solid workout, I'm not messing about."
Silva, 40, is a former middleweight champion who owns all-time UFC records with 16 consecutive victories and 14 finishes. He is widely regarded as one of the sport's iconic competitors.
But Lancashire's Bisping, 36, believes Silva has benefitted from a slew of outmatched and fearful opponents who were broken by the reputation that precedes the Brazilian.
"He hasn't fought anybody that has my speed or my volume," he said. "He hasn't fought anybody that's as well-rounded as I am - I can fight with him on the feet and take him down. I implement a lot of movement and footwork.
"He's fought a lot of mediocre opponents, guys that were terrified of him and were beaten before they started. They were looking for a way out, which is something we see in sports.
"I never bought into his aura of invincibility, I looked at him as someone who had skills and finishing ability - but he has poor boxing, zero takedown defence, and he isn't very strong.
"Yes, I also have to be wary of his finishing ability but I'm stronger, younger, fitter and better looking so what more can I ask for?"
Remarkably Bisping and Silva debuted in the world's biggest MMA organisation a decade ago, just days apart, yet have never crossed paths despite sharing the middleweight division for the majority of that time.
Although Silva no longer rules as divisional champion, No 6 ranked contender Bisping believes his lifetime's work will be justified with a victory when they finally fight at The O2 Arena.
"We've had parallel careers for 10 years and I've wanted to fight him on a number of occasions," Bisping said. "Of course I wanted him when he was he champion and he's no longer he champion. That said, I've always said I could beat Anderson because my style matches up very well with him.
"I finally have the chance to back up what I've been saying for years in the biggest UFC fight on British soil. It's a defining moment in my legacy."