While we are still waiting for the official announcement of who will be Tony Bellew’s next opponent, ‘The Bomber’ is sure keeping us entertained.
Ever since the first Mayweather v McGregor news hit the stands, there’s been a lot of talk about other ‘boxer versus MMA fighter’ bouts. UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic challenged Anthony Joshua but got shut down quickly. Roy Jones Jr and UFC legend Anderson Silva were reportedly also in talks.
Bellew has now revealed that he is also interested in fighting a UFC champion under MMA rules. He revealed his favourable opponent in a recent interview with Sky Sports.
“If you’re asking if I would get in the cage with a puncher in the UFC? Mike Bisping is a guy who is predominantly known as a puncher and he’s a very strong wrestler as well. I think I could get down to 185 [UFC middleweight limit],” said Bellew.
But instead of a one off boxing match, the Liverpudlian is willing to fight in a cage under MMA rules.
“If the money is right, then Tony Bellew would happily enter a cage or a ring. Maybe let’s do one of them each. I’m a Michael Bisping fan, but if the money was right then the fan stuff goes out the window,” told Bellew.
The WBC World cruiserweight champion also shared what other martial arts has he been training.
“I can wrestle, I can grapple, I punch hard, I can kick and I’ve got some kickboxing experience,” he said.
So far there is no comment from the middleweight champion, Michael Bisping. The 185 UFC title holder hails from Manchester, England. He’s known as a striker and an all-around MMA fighter.
Bellew has been linked to fights against the likes of Andre Ward, Joseph Parker and David Haye but there still hasn’t been an official opponent announced.