Tony Bellew UFC BOMBSHELL: Boxer reveals secret Michael Bisping talks
GETTY Tony Bellew revealed he had been in talks to fight Michael Bisping
The Bomber is a huge mixed martial arts fan and has previously spoken of his desire to test his skills inside the Octagon, inciting a furious response from Bisping last year. "He's saying he'd happily entertain me in a boxing ring, I'd be happy to do one of each," Bellew said in August. "We can start with the boxing - but I'm not too sure he'd want to come near me again once I'd hit him with a certain punch in the boxing world. “It wouldn't bother me in the slightest whether I am getting in a cage or a boxing ring."
GETTY The Bomber is a huge fan of mixed martial arts and said he would love to climb into the cage
Firing back, Bisping told the Daily Mail: “'I don't want to fight Tony Bellew in a cage, that would be too easy. Plus boxers get paid more money so I'm more than happy to box Tony Bellew, I'll step into his backyard.”
They were like ‘are you serious?’ and I said ‘100%’ Tony Bellew on UFC meeting
The brief war of words appeared to die out with little substance some weeks later – but during a bombshell interview with talkSPORT at a media lunch ahead of his rematch with David Haye next month, the Scouse fighter revealed he had been in touch with the UFC's parent company, IMG, to try and make the fight. “IMG I think it was, the guys I met with in Vegas,” he said. “At the Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather fight, I had a sit down with a couple of guys. “They were like ‘are you serious?’ and I said ‘100%’. “I would love to have a go in a cage. Something about it floats my boat.”
GETTY Bisping is Britain's first ever UFC champion, having secured the middleweight title in 2016