Michael Bisping Says RAF Offered Him $500,000 To Wrestle Tito Ortiz

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping recently revealed that Real American Freestyle (RAF) offered him a lucrative opportunity to step back into competition… But concerns about his health ultimately made him think twice. Speaking on his Believe You Me podcast, Bisping discussed the growing influence of RAF and the significant financial incentives being offered to […]

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Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping recently revealed on his podcast that he was offered a substantial sum of $500,000 by the Russian Absolute Fighting Championship (RAF) to compete in a wrestling match against rival Tito Ortiz. This offer came after Bisping had already retired from professional fighting, making the prospect of a return, even for a grappling-focused exhibition, a significant point of discussion.

Despite the lucrative nature of the offer, Bisping ultimately declined. His decision was primarily driven by serious health concerns, particularly his ongoing issues with his eye and the results of recent brain scans. He emphasized the inherent risks of returning to any form of combat, even a wrestling match, and the strong opposition from his wife, who was vehemently against him taking the fight.

The proposed wrestling match would have added another chapter to the long-standing rivalry between Bisping and Ortiz. Their history includes two previous encounters in the UFC, with Ortiz securing a submission victory in their initial bout, and Bisping later evening the score with a TKO win in their rematch. The offer highlights the continued interest in high-profile grappling exhibitions involving retired MMA legends.