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Michael Bisping expects to face Jacare Souza or Dan Henderson in Manchester
British UFC middleweight champion says Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza and Dan Henderson are the most likely options for his first title defence
THE queue of fighters vying for the first shot at Michael Bisping is packed with star power.
Former champ Chris Weidman is desperate to get his belt back after missing out on UFC 199, while Bisping's victim Luke Rockhold wants to ease the pain of that devastating knockout loss to the Brit by claiming an instant rematch.
Even Canadian superstar Georges St-Pierre has been linked with a comeback against the Brit.
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But speaking to SunSport this week Bisping said he believed there were two front-runners to face him in his first title defence.
Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza is the highest ranked middleweight not to have had a tilt at the title so far, and Bisping said the No 3-ranked Brazilian has a strong case for the next shot.
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"Obviously Jacare's there," Bisping admitted.
"You can't deny him, you really can't."
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But a more appealing prospect is a rematch with veteran Dan Henderson.
The American starched the Brit at UFC 100 in one of the most replayed knockouts in UFC history.
And seven years removed from that brutal KO, Bisping fancies a shot at revenge.
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"Dan Henderson also though, for me, is something I would like to achieve," he explained..
"I owe that guy one, simply because back in the day he was on TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), which is now not allowed.
"So it's either Jacare or Dan Henderson - we'll see what the UFC wanna do."
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And while the actual opponent remains undecided, Bisping has no doubts where the fight should take place - on home soil, in Manchester.
"Absolutely," he said.
"I spoke to Dana and Lorenzo two days after my last fight - on the Tuesday they called me. We had a chat.
"They just called to say congratulations and just to reiterate their sentiments from on fight night - they said some very nice things to me.
"And we briefly talked the potential next fight: 'Where would you like to do it?' - and I said 'Manchester'. That would be amazing.
"I just beat Anderson (Silva) in London. To defend the belt in Manchester would be incredible for me."
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