Gokhan Saki: Fight with Michael Bisping would bring UFC to ‘the next level’ in Europe

Gokhan Saki made headlines earlier this week when he respectfully called out Michael Bisping with a view to taking on the former UFC middleweight champion in his retirement bout.

The kickboxing legend will look to make it two wins in as many outing with the UFC when he meets Khalil Rountree at UFC 226. Although Saki underlined his excitement about competing in Vegas at some point when he signed for the promotion, he thinks a clash with Bisping will have a far more significant impact closer to home.

“If the UFC is smart they will do it,” Saki told MMA Fighting with regard to his proposed bout with Bisping.

“I really respect Bisping, he’s a sick fighter. I saw his tweet and I thought that when the UFC announced my signing they announced me as a kickboxing legend. I just thought it would be a good idea for the MMA legend, Bisping, to take on the kickboxing legend. If they want to bring UFC to the next level, especially in Europe, then this is the fight to make.”

If everything goes according to plan at UFC 226, Saki will make booking the Bisping fight a priority.

“Let’s see what happens, the most important thing is my fight with Khalil Rountree. After that I would love to fight him and I’ll do my best to make it happen,” he said.

Saki praised the Brit’s stand-up and highlighted that the different styles of striking would make for an intriguing matchup if the fight came to be.

“I think he likes my style. Kickboxing is very different from MMA stand-up. His stand-up is very good, a lot better than most of the guys in MMA and I’m just a kickboxer, you know?” he said, laughing.

“The fight makes a lot of sense to me. And I think it will be good if they can make it happen. If he wants to end his career a legend, he needs to fight a legend.”