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JACKSONVILLE, FL - MAY 16: UFC Announcer Michael Bisping looks on during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 16, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Michael Bisping had the opportunity to wrestle Tito Ortiz under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner, but the former UFC middleweight champion had to pass due to a bad neck.
In case you’re missing it, RAF has been steadily making strides in the world of combat sports. The freestyle wrestling promotion seems to be signing big talent every other week and staging some memorable shows. This includes big-time UFC talent like Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili, Gable Steveson, Bo Nickal, and Michael Chandler. Not to mention retired stars like Colby Covington, Chris Weidman, Henry Cejudo, Frankie Edgar, Urijah Faber, Tony Ferguson, and even Ben Askren.
With so many big names in its stable, RAF needs a sizeable bankroll to keep operations going. As of now, it’s been smooth sailing. The growing promotion has been able to offer up some pretty large purses to attract some of the biggest names in combat sports to the wrestling mat. In fact, some UFC fighters are making more money under RAF than they would competing inside of the Octagon.
Fortunately, RAF has also opened up a window of opportunity for aging fighters still looking to stay active. This includes the likes of Bisping, who was recently offered $500,000 to battle fellow UFC legend, Tito Ortiz. Bisping had to pass due to his current health, but it at least shows you the type of money RAF is willing to throw around.
Check it out below:
“The asked me for half a million dollars to go wrestle against Tito Ortiz,” revealed Bisping during a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast. “I swear to God.
“If it was a boxing match, yeah. But wrestling, my neck couldn’t take that. I was tempted. I was like, ‘Half a mill for a little wrestling match?’
“That’s what there guys are getting paid if not more.”
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