UFC star Bisping explains why Rousey should 'walk away'

At the age of 37, UFC star Michael Bisping is at the top of the sport. The current UFC middleweight champion got his long-awaited UFC title shot in 2016 and took advantage. With just a two-week notice, Bisping knocked out Luke Rockhold in the first round at UFC 199. He defended his title at UFC 204, beating Dan Henderson.

Now, he's looking ahead to a huge year 2017. Bisping plays Hawk in the upcoming film, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, debuting on Jan. 20. A role that he says will be just the start of a busy year as an actor. He's also not done fighting and defending his title belt.

He joined For The Win for an interview about his acting and fighting career.

FTW: How did you get into acting?

Bisping: Yeah, so I got the opportunity to be in a movie in 2009. And I went there - went and did it, and I absolutely loved it. I was actually blown away by how much I enjoyed the challenge and the process of trying to learn it. So after that, I started trying to pursue it, so I started to do acting classes and working with an acting coach, got myself an agent. Slowly but surely started getting work in this and that. Then everything was kind of catching up, and now, I got a lot of projects in the pipeline. My agent is doing a great job. Obviously, xXx is coming out now. I fly out to Toronto next week for a show called Dark Matter. Then, I fly to Atlanta for a part in a new Gerard Butler movie. So yeah, got plenty of things in the pipeline for 2017.

FTW: What was the experience like being in xXx?

Bisping: It really was amazing. I've done nothing even close to this level. For one, the cast were amazing. Vin Diesel was just an absolute legend. The production was incredible. The fight scenes, the stunts, you name it. It was just amazing. And on the days off, with all the weapons training, doing all the choreography - just a lot of fun. It really was a lot of fun, especially for someone like me who is kind of like an adrenaline junkie, if you will.

FTW: As a professional fighter, what was it like imitating fighting in a movie?

Bisping: It was actually a lot tougher than what a lot of people would think. Of course, we're trying to land punches for real in the octagon. You try to do as much damage as you can. On screen, you're trying to make it look real, you're trying to sell it, but obviously you can't hit people. You try to sell it but not hurt anyone. It was definitely more challenging than what you'd think, but with my martial arts background, I took to it very easily, to be honest. But yeah, it was a new challenge, and I enjoyed it.

FTW: After a huge 2016, what's your focus for this year?

Bisping: Well, of course I went to defend the belt. I'm pretty sure we'll figure out when that is gonna be pretty soon to defend the belt and make more movies, more TV work. That's the plan. You know, you can't fight forever. But I'm going to keep defending that belt a couple more times and focus on movies 100 percent, but I've got a few things in the pipeline for 2017. It's looking like it's going to be a great year, and of course, if I'm successful in my fights - and that's a big 'if' because the fighting is the hard part - that would be amazing.

FTW: Who are you looking at for that title defense?

Bisping: I want to be a part of the biggest fight possible. By biggest fight, I mean the biggest money-generating fight. And I guess the UFC wants me to fight Yoel Romero. And you know, he's the No. 1 contender, but he's not really a fight that does well in the box office. I'll fight him, but I want to fight someone who will do well in the box office - someone that's a big draw. I've been doing this a long, long time. I want to earn as much money as possible, so fighting some random dude from Cuba that no one knows about doesn't do that. Yeah, I respect him as a fighter … but for the fight, whoever can generate the most money, that's what I'll do.

FTW: A different UFC fighter, Jacare Souza, called you out the other day. Do you have a response to his comments?

Bisping: Yeah … There's another one. He couldn't sell. He couldn't sell a bottle of water to someone in the bloody desert who has been there for a month. He's a great fighter, but no one cares about that dude. He's gotta fight - simple as that … He better be careful running his mouth, otherwise I'll slap him silly when I see him.

FTW: You have to be used to fighters calling each other out, right?

Bisping: Oh yeah, I get called out all the time. I used to get called out when I wasn't the champion, and you can imagine now that I've got the belt, it's a daily occurrence. A lot of people want to fight me, that's for sure.

If I respond to it (every comment) then I'm giving it traction. That's what they're trying to do. So when they talk (expletive) to me on Twitter, they're trying to get me to react and then, next minute, it makes news. So, I try to ignore it. I'm like, 'Good for you. I know you're trying to do you and get along in life.'

But I'm also trying to get the best fight possible and make the most money as possible. And picking a fight with every Tom, Dick and Harry that's around isn't the way to do that.

FTW: What was your reaction watching the Rousey fight?

Bisping: Obviously, it was a disappointing return for her. It was a tough, tough task for her, coming back after a long layoff and losing that last fight. She probably should be fighting a terrible opponent. But Amanda Nunes is an incredibly tough woman. She's the champion for the reason. That was really hard. It was always a tough position. I would have liked to see a tune-up fight first, but I respect her coming back and taking the biggest fight possible. That's the fight game. You know, you have the time at top and then, everybody has their expiry day. She's done amazing things for the sport, and that will never be forgotten.

FTW: As a champion, if she reached out to you for advice, what would you tell her?

Bisping: I don't know if I could give her advice, but in my opinion, she's done it all. She took over the sport. She was the face of the sport. She earned a lot of money. She's a massive celebrity now. She's been the champion. She's defended it a number of times. Walk away. But if you wanted to come back and fight again, get a win, I'd probably understand that as well. Only she can decide that. But either way, whether she fights or retires, I'd understand both to be honest.

FTW: Last question - other than you, who is the best fighter in UFC?

Bisping: Let me see. Man, that's difficult. You're asking me to give someone major props. Demetrious Johnson! He's so small, he's not competition to me.