Michael Bisping says trash-talk was key in win over Anderson Silva

Former UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping had a lot to say about long-reigning former UFC Middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva prior to their bout in 2016.

Looking back on it now, Bisping admits that he actually had a lot of respect for the former champion, but knew that a little bit of trash talk was the key to getting the victory — which he earned via unanimous decision.

In an excerpt from his new book Quitters Never Win, Michael Bisping explained why trash talk was the key to winning the action-packed bout against Anderson Silva.

See what the former champion had to say (via MMAJunkie):

“I’d blasted him about his 2015 failed drugs tests and his excuse he’d used a Thai sex pill (“Did it work, then?” I asked the GOAT, “Do you get an erection or not?”). I got into his face every chance I got – at the press conference, at a photocall at Tower Bridge in London, when we passed each other at the UFC host hotel.

So, why did I go all out to piss off the greatest fighter of all time?

Simple, I respected him too much and Silva preyed on respect. For years, I’d watched opponents fail to challenge him to the best of their ability because they went in going, “Oooh, it’s the legendary Anderson Silva.”

Meanwhile, Silva – a master mind-gamer – would be using meticulous deference (the bowing and all that nonsense) to con opponents into “respectful” martial arts contests that best suited his style. Then, inevitably, he spring the trap and smash them to a brutal defeat.”

Following his win over Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping went on to win the UFC Middleweight title in a short-notice fight against Luke Rockhold. Bisping would go on to defended his title 1 time against his career rival Dan Henderson, before losing it to Georges St-Pierre. He lost his next bout against Kelvin Gastelum and decided to hang up the gloves and focus on other endeavours. Michael Bisping now works as an analyst for ESPN, a commentator for the UFC, a podcast host, and a more recently, a writer.

This article first appeared on CLOSEDGUARDMEDIA.com on 28th February, 2020.