Cagewarriors statement concerning the current situation involving Michael “The Count” Bisping from the “Wolfslair Academy” being stripped of his Cage Rage British Title due to “management” issues.
September 22, 2005 (Press Release) --
The Cagewarriors Fighting Championship is saddened to hear of the news that Michael Bisping (who fights out of the Cagewarriors Pro fight team “The Wolfslair Academy”) has been stripped of his Cage Rage British Light-Heavyweight Title by Cage Rage promoters Andy Geer and Dave O’Donnell.
Michael Bisping is widely regarded by most observers to be Britain’s number 1 Light-Heavyweight MMA fighter, due in part to his unbeaten 8-0 record and the way Bisping has dominated his previous opponents. Bisping won the Cage Rage Lightweight Title at Cage Rage 7 against the Londoner Mark Epstein and has defended the Title once at Cage Rage 9 in November 2004. Since then Bisping has also added the FX 3 Light-Heavyweight Title as well as the Cagewarriors Light-Heavyweight Title to his collection. Bisping has not backed away from any domestic match-up and was willing to defend his title when asked.
Although Cage Rage has stated on their website that Bisping has been stripped of his title due to “management” issues, we feel this does not reflect the full story as Bisping was willing to defend his title but is being punished by Cage Rage due to his Wolfslair/Cagewarriors links.
We feel this was a very cold, callous and shallow act by Cage Rage, which has subsequently put the sport into disrepute and makes a mockery of those who believe that some UK MMA promotions can be relied upon to adequately self-regulate themselves. Cagewarriors also believes this move is a blow to those who try to present MMA as a legitimate and responsible sport, and we feel that this incident is further prove that a legitimate governing body is needed to prevent such miscarriages of justice happening in the future.
We are also saddened at the way Cage Rage announced this news, as they did not contact Bisping beforehand and the news was originally leaked by someone close to the Cage Rage management on a public forum. For the record Michael was only informed of this Title change via a telephone call from a member of the Cagewarriors team after it was announced on the Cage Rage website and Bisping was not contacted directly by Cage Rage at all.
Again we feel this was another classless act perpetuated by Cage Rage and we have subsequently heard from one of our sources that Cage Rage are contacted to no longer entertain fighters from the Wolfslair Academy on their show. This is a further slap in the face to both Michael Bisping and the rest of the Wolfslair team who are breeding some top quality UK based fighters.
To reiterate we at Cagewarriors are saddened and surprised by this move, however we will continue to support Michael Bisping and the rest of the Wolfslair team for as long as possible. We are very proud to be associated with them and we believe they will continue their march to the very top of the MMA ladder regardless of these recent revelations.
However Cagewarriors fans should not be disappointed as Michael Bisping will still be in action on the 1st of October at the Skydome Arena, Coventry in the main event of Cagewarriors Strike Force 3.
Michael Bisping is widely regarded by most observers to be Britain’s number 1 Light-Heavyweight MMA fighter, due in part to his unbeaten 8-0 record and the way Bisping has dominated his previous opponents. Bisping won the Cage Rage Lightweight Title at Cage Rage 7 against the Londoner Mark Epstein and has defended the Title once at Cage Rage 9 in November 2004. Since then Bisping has also added the FX 3 Light-Heavyweight Title as well as the Cagewarriors Light-Heavyweight Title to his collection. Bisping has not backed away from any domestic match-up and was willing to defend his title when asked.
Although Cage Rage has stated on their website that Bisping has been stripped of his title due to “management” issues, we feel this does not reflect the full story as Bisping was willing to defend his title but is being punished by Cage Rage due to his Wolfslair/Cagewarriors links.
We feel this was a very cold, callous and shallow act by Cage Rage, which has subsequently put the sport into disrepute and makes a mockery of those who believe that some UK MMA promotions can be relied upon to adequately self-regulate themselves. Cagewarriors also believes this move is a blow to those who try to present MMA as a legitimate and responsible sport, and we feel that this incident is further prove that a legitimate governing body is needed to prevent such miscarriages of justice happening in the future.
We are also saddened at the way Cage Rage announced this news, as they did not contact Bisping beforehand and the news was originally leaked by someone close to the Cage Rage management on a public forum. For the record Michael was only informed of this Title change via a telephone call from a member of the Cagewarriors team after it was announced on the Cage Rage website and Bisping was not contacted directly by Cage Rage at all.
Again we feel this was another classless act perpetuated by Cage Rage and we have subsequently heard from one of our sources that Cage Rage are contacted to no longer entertain fighters from the Wolfslair Academy on their show. This is a further slap in the face to both Michael Bisping and the rest of the Wolfslair team who are breeding some top quality UK based fighters.
To reiterate we at Cagewarriors are saddened and surprised by this move, however we will continue to support Michael Bisping and the rest of the Wolfslair team for as long as possible. We are very proud to be associated with them and we believe they will continue their march to the very top of the MMA ladder regardless of these recent revelations.
However Cagewarriors fans should not be disappointed as Michael Bisping will still be in action on the 1st of October at the Skydome Arena, Coventry in the main event of Cagewarriors Strike Force 3.
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