Morning Report: Michael Bisping interested in ‘retirement fight’ being at UFC Liverpool

Michael Bisping has an event in mind for his farewell bout.

The former UFC middleweight champion said Wednesday on his “Believe You Me” podcast that he’d like to finish up his decorated career in his home country — at UFC Liverpool on May 27.

“UFC, I’m available,” Bisping said. “If you want me on that card, you got my number. … That’s a nice retirement fight. Liverpool. Northwest of England. That’s where I’m from.”

Bisping, 39, has been talking retirement since losing twice by finish back in November. Georges St-Pierre won the middleweight title from him at UFC 217 via third-round submission. Then, three weeks later, Kelvin Gastelum knocked Bisping out in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Shanghai.

Initially, there was talk that Bisping might finish out his career at UFC London earlier this month. But negotiations between him and the UFC broke down. If Bisping were to get a bout at UFC Liverpool, “The Count” said he would then hang up the gloves.

“I’m interested in fighting on that card,” Bisping said. “We’ll see. We’ll see what the UFC comes up with. But yeah, I’m definitely interested. For sure. That would be my last fight and then I can bugger off.”

When asked about a possible opponent, Bisping (30-9) said he wasn’t that interested in completing a trilogy vs. Luke Rockhold, which was a hot topic not too long ago. He also doesn’t want to face Vitor Belfort. Bisping said he gave the UFC a list of possibilities and he’s waiting to hear back.

“I spoke to the UFC already, I’m playing a little game here,” Bisping said. “I said to the UFC, ‘Throw some names my way.’ We’ll see. So we’ll see what they come back with.”