UFC legend Michael Bisping has described great mate Daniel Cormier as “out of his mind” for branding Alexander Volkanovski a rank outsider against UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev – convinced even his $4 TAB underdog tag is “disrespectful”.
Only days out from Volkanovski’s first Australian headlining at UFC 284, both Bisping and Robert Whittaker have insisted the Wollongong striker is a far stronger hope than the current betting lines, and many UFC analysts, are suggesting.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Bisping even branded Cormier “out of his mind” for suggesting a win for the UFC featherweight champ would be the biggest upset in company history.
Watch UFC 284: Makhachev v Volkanovski LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday 12 February from 2pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
‘BIGGER THAN CONOR’: UFC reveals mega Aussie plan if Volk becomes historic double champ
‘WHO GIVES A F*** WHAT HE’S DONE?’: Volkanovski’s KO plan for McGregor superfight
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Volk’s rival can finally step out of UFC shadow in ‘monster fight’ that’s ‘never happened’ before
While refusing to tip a winner – “I’m commentating, so it wouldn’t be fair to either man” – the British fight favourite also described Volkanovski’s standing as 4/1 underdog as not only surprising, but disrespectful.
Bisping’s comments came on the same day Makhachev revealed he not only plans to beat Volkanovski in his first Australian headliner, but knock him cold.
While most expect the UFC lightweight champion to wrestle his way to victory, Makhachev told journalists at the UFC media day how he planned to win on his feet – and in the most emphatic fashion.
Elsewhere, Whittaker also agreed Volkanovski could get the job done in what is trending to become the biggest in Australian UFC history – with both he and Bisping agreeing on a similar path to victory.
“Firstly, I think Alex Volkanovski has a shot at beating anyone, anywhere,” Whittaker said.
“He’s a powerhouse of the game.
“Can do it all.
“This is a guy who has the cardio, the striking, the wrestling, the ticker, he’s a real stud.
“But now to get it done against Islam? He has to stuff the takedowns and punch him in the head.
“Keep it simple.
“Alex has the superior stand up and I think that’s where he wins.”
Bisping agreed simplicity was the key.
“As boring as it sounds, Alex needs to point fight,” he said. “Move around the Octagon, use the space, use your jab.
“Volk can’t plant his feet for too long. He can’t throw more than two or three punches at once either or Islam will get a hold of him.
“So he has to be moving constantly.”
Asked his own thoughts on the Bisping blueprint, Whittaker continued: “Point fighting may sound bad, but it won’t look that way when being watched.
“For Volk it’s about keeping your combinations down to low numbers.
“Ones and twos.
“Straight line attacks, limited kicks, don’t engage in the wrestling and pick him apart from the outside.”
So as for Cormier’s claim that a Volkanovski win would be the biggest upset in UFC history?
“Oh, DC is out of his mind,” Bisping cackled. “Absolutely out of his mind.
‘People inside the arena can’t help him’ | 06:31
“It wouldn’t be the biggest upset.
“No way.
“Volkanovski is not only No.1 pound for pound, he’s there for a reason.
“The guy is unbelievable.
“Obviously Islam is favoured. Has dominated everyone he’s fought.
“So, yes, it would be an upset if Volkanovski wins.
“But not a big one.
“And I’m sure there are people who wouldn’t be surprised at all.”
Pushed on Volkanovski still being a $4 underdog with many bookmakers, Bisping continued: “I think that’s a bit disrespectful to be honest.
“But Islam, he’s just been so dominant.
“And with Volk, we know he is going to be taken down. So can he get back up?
“I know Volk is confident that he can. But Islam is also ridiculously confident that he can’t.
“That’s the fight.”
So does he get up?
“He will,” Bisping continued. “But will he continue to get up?
“Because even when he gets up, he will then get taken down again.
“That’s what Islam does, takes people down and smothers them on the ground.”
Asked where a win would put Volkanovski in the GOAT conversation, Bisping added: “I don’t know if he will be the greatest ever.
“Respectfully, there are people like Jon Jones, Georges St Pierre, Anderson Silva, guys who defended the belt 12 times and things like that.
“But Volk is definitely on track. If he wins he will certainly join that conversation.”