Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping revealed on a podcast that RAF Wrestling once approached him with a lucrative offer to compete against Tito Ortiz in a wrestling match.
The discussion emerged during a conversation about the growing financial opportunities RAF Wrestling has created for former UFC stars and accomplished wrestlers. Reflecting on how the landscape has changed, Bisping pointed out that wrestling can now be a lucrative option in its own right.
“Guys got into MMA from wrestling because they couldn’t wrestle for money. And now they can do both,” co-host Paul Felder said.
Bisping agreed, noting that an athlete’s UFC reputation is often what makes these opportunities possible.
“You’ve got to have a name,” he said. “And they all have a name from the UFC.”
Bisping acknowledged that while UFC veterans benefit from their popularity, elite wrestlers can also attract attention from the promotion.
“If you’re a legit high-level guy that competed on that top stage level in wrestling, you’re probably getting an offer,” Felder agreed.
That observation prompted Bisping to share his own experience with RAF Wrestling. According to the former champion, the promotion made him a substantial offer to face longtime rival Tito Ortiz.
“I knew someone that has an association with RAF?” Bisping said before revealing, “They asked me for half a million dollars to go wrestle against Tito Ortiz. I swear to God.”
The offer was enough to make him seriously consider it.
“I was tempted,” Bisping admitted. “I was like, half a mil for a little wrestling match?”
Despite the payday, he ultimately declined because of concerns about his physical condition.
“If it was a boxing match, yeah,” he explained. “But wrestling, my neck couldn’t take that.”
Bisping suggested that such payouts are becoming common in RAF Wrestling.
“That’s what these guys are getting paid,” he said. “If not more.”
The conversation then shifted to several recent RAF Wrestling matches involving former and current UFC athletes. One result that stood out to Bisping was Colby Covington’s narrow 5-4 victory over Chris Weidman.
“Not with that size difference and considering that Chris was also a wrestler,” Bisping said. “That’s surprising.”
The hosts also discussed Merab Dvalishvili’s dominant 10-1 win over Frankie Edgar and Arman Tsarukyan’s victory after recovering from an early fall.
