Michael Bisping has been given the green light by an athletic commission to fight Jake Paul despite only having one eye - with the organisation willing to sanction a fight between the pair. The legendary UK former UFC fighter was called out by American YouTuber turned boxer Paul and he has now responded himself - putting the ball in Paul's court.
Bisping retired from the UFC in 2018, after he fought 11 times with one eye after a hit which should have been career-ending. In 2013, Bisping was hit with a vicious head kick by Vitor Belfort, knocking him out. At the time Belfort had been using a now-banned testosterone replacement therapy, more commonly known as TRT, which had given a clear physical advantage in the octagon.
Bisping would go on to suffer from eye issues for the remainder of his career, after the kick had given him a detached retina - fighting 11 further times. He has since confirmed that one of his eyes is a prosthetic.
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Paul named Bisping on his six-man 'hitlist' as he confirmed that he'll return to the boxing ring in August for his sixth professional fight. The 25-year-old is 5-0 in his boxing career since turning professional in 2020 - defeating British YouTuber AnEsonGib, former NBA star Nate Robinson and MMA legends Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley - beating the latter twice.
Speaking to Teddy Atlas on his podcast on who he could fight next, Paul said: "Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, Tommy Fury, Sonny [Bill] Williams out of Australia. There's a lot of people on the hitlist and some other names that we're talking to. Just trying to pick the biggest opponent."
But now, it looks like he has zeroed in on Bisping, as he wrote on Twitter to the Clitheroe star: "I would knock you out worse than Hendo. You’re an easy fight. But show me you can get licensed and I will show you $1M plus PPV… (using this emoji because Bisping can’t use it lololololol." He then sent a video directed at Bisping.
Now, Bisping has responded. After posting a video confirming that he can fight, he simply commented: "Your move", to Jake Paul.
Paul wrote back, promising to put a contract together as long as Bisping is no longer tied to the UFC. He said: "Bisping, post legal confirmation that you are not under UFC contract and I will get you a contract. You retired in 2017 and Dana still got you by the balls. And we fight where I tell you we fight."
The Tsuut'ina combative commission in Canada, an Indian reservation which is able to sanction fights, appear to have given the green light to a potential bout by reaching out to Bisping.
