Don't expect Michael Bisping to be distracted by the reports of a lawsuit as his title defense at UFC 217 looms.
Bisping is being sued for an alleged confrontation that occurred in July 2017, according to a TMZ Sports report. The report said that Bisping and another member of an Anaheim, Calif., gym were engaged in a verbal tirade which led to a physical encounter.
Antonio Georgakopoulos, 19, claims that Bisping initiated the verbal war between the two. Georgakopoulos says Bisping was upset that his "weights were being used without permission" and that's when the UFC middleweight champion grabbed him by the throat — choking him in the process. While Bisping wasn't quoted in TMZ's report, he was asked about the lawsuit during Thursday's UFC 217 conference call.
"Here we go," Bisping said, expecting the question to be asked. "It is completely inaccurate. It’s not factual. Of course, he's filed papers. I actually haven’t received any notification. I haven't been served or anything but I've heard about this but no distraction here, mate. Not losing any sleep over it whatsoever."
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Bisping was never charged by police in California, but UFC president Dana White went on the RQMS podcast and addressed the situation.
"Guys like that are a f— embarrassment," White said in reference to Georgakopoulos.
Bisping (31-7) will defend his middleweight championship on Nov. 4 against Georges St-Pierre (25-2) at Madison Square Garden.