Wednesday 18 May 2016 19:03, UK
Britain’s Michael Bisping will challenge for the UFC championship for the first time in his 10-year run with the organisation after being confirmed as Luke Rockhold’s next opponent.
Chris Weidman was supposed to face Rockhold at UFC 199 in California on June 4 in a rematch of their December clash but was forced to withdraw at less than three weeks' notice due to injury.
That has opened the door to Lancashire's Bisping for an opportunity at the middleweight title that has eluded him during his 25-fight stretch with the world's leading MMA promotion.
Bisping, 37, lost to Rockhold in 2014 when the American forced him to submit for the first time in his career.
But Bisping has been afforded a short-notice rematch because a three-fight win streak has propelled him up to No 4 in the official 185lbs rankings.
Let's just say, if we fought again I wouldn't need to keep my hands up.
Bisping was most recently in action in February with a career-best victory over former champion Anderson Silva at London's O2.
Rockhold was in attendance and exclusively told Sky Sports: "Let's just say, if we fought again I wouldn't need to keep my hands up.
"There was some fun banter heading into [our fight]. I knew I'd get that from Bisping so it was even better to shut him up in the way that I did. I respect him as a competitor."
