Tony Bellew holds talks with UFC over fight with Michael Bisping as he prepares for David Haye bout on May 5


TONY BELLEW held a meeting with the UFC’s parent company IMG in Las Vegas to talk about a possible switch to MMA to face the former middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

The Liverpool bruiser, 35, claims he initiated talks in Las Vegas last August during the Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor fight.

Tony Bellew says he held talks with UFC chiefs over making an appearance in the octagon
Tony Bellew says he held talks with UFC chiefs over making an appearance in the octagon
Rex Features

He said: “IMG I think it was, the guys I met with in Vegas.

“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 ‘100per cent’.”

Bellew is set to face David Haye in their second bout at the O2 Arena in London on May 5, but the fight has been re-scheduled because of injuries.

Bellew would be keen to face British UFC star Michael Bisping
Bellew would be keen to face British UFC star Michael Bisping
Getty Images - Getty

He fought Brit rival Haye in March last year and won the bout on TKO.

Bellew added: “I would love to have a go in a cage. Something about it floats my boat.”


RETURN OF THE KING Tyson Fury says he has been granted boxing license ahead of June return


The Liverpudlian said he has respect for Brit Bisping, explaining how a fight between them would give fans a smile.

He added: “Bisping can talk – and you know what, I would love it.

Eddie Hearn has been busy promoting the latest Haye vs Bellew bout
Eddie Hearn has been busy promoting the latest Haye vs Bellew bout
MATTHEW CHILDS
Bellew held talks during Conor McGregor's cross-discipline bout against Floyd Mayweather
Bellew held talks during Conor McGregor’s cross-discipline bout against Floyd Mayweather
AFP or licensors

“But I’ve got all the respect in the world for Bisping, it wouldn’t cross over to be nasty or anything. I’m pretty sure it would just be fun.”

The WBC cruiserweight champ rates his chances against Bisping saying he would knock out the Cypriot-born Mancunian.

He said: “I would turn his lights out. He would go fast asleep. He would just go co-cozing immediately.

“If I hit someone with four-ounce gloves on, it is naughty.”

Bellew has a rematch with  Haye to take care of first on May 5 before he can look into his plans to switch to the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

Bellew shocked the boxing fans with his surprise 11th round victory over his fellow Brit on March 4 last year, when Haye suffered a horrific ruptured Achilles in the sixth round.


Leave a comment