Perpetual contender Michael Bisping will finally get his chance to fight for a UFC belt at UFC 199.
Former champion Chris Weidman was forced to withdraw from his scheduled rematch against Luke Rockhold due to a recurring back injury. This left the card in disarray as the big wigs scrambled to find a suitable challenger for Rockhold.
Jacare, who recently scored a dominant first round TKO victory over Vitor Belfort at UFC 198 was thought to be the front-runner, but seemingly he wasn’t able to pass fitness in time for the card set to take place on June 4.
UFC president Dana White announced on SportsCenter on Wednesday evening that Bisping would get the call to fight Rockhold.
THIS JUST IN: Dana White announces #LIVEonSC that Michael Bisping will replace Chris Weidman at UFC 199. pic.twitter.com/cISyY2RCM9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 18, 2016
Bisping (28-7) has come close to a getting a crack at the belt on numerous occasions. He lost out on his chance to face Anderson Silva for the middleweight strap in 2012 after dropping a unanimous decision to Chael Sonnen.
However, the Brit did get his chance against the Spider, albeit not for the belt, at the UFC London card in February, where he won via unanimous decision.
He also has previous with the current champ, losing via second-round submission to Rockhold in the main event of UFC Sydney in 2014. UFC 199 will give Bisping the opportunity to avenge the loss and to try to claim the coveted belt that has been so elusive throughout his career.
