Michael Bisping believes that Jiri Prochazka will be coming for the light heavyweight belt he thinks is “rightfully his” in an “absolutely ridiculous” clash with Alex Pereira at UFC 295.

The Czech contender initially became champion last year but had to vacate the title when he was injured, and has not suffered a defeat while holding the belt.

The 31-year-old has the chance to become champion once more at UFC 295 in New York, in a headline event shown live on TNT Sports this Saturday night.

He will come up against Brazilian Pereira, a 36-year-old former kickboxer and an erstwhile middleweight champion in the franchise.

Bisping is a UFC veteran, and the now-retired MMA fighter discussed what he expects from both fighters.

He told TNT Sports: “I’ve learned that they’re two dialled-in, very capable fighters. I’m leaning towards Jiri Prochazka but then you look at Alex Pereira, and the more we talk about what he’s achieved, how good he is, how deadly he is. That makes me second-guess myself.

“What have I learned? This fight is going to be absolutely ridiculous.”

Prochazka has been out of the Octagon for more than a year due to injury, but Bisping believes that he has enough experience for that to be no obstacle for the fight this weekend.

He said: “I don’t think so. I think when you look at the body of work, the experience, the styles that he’s fought, and just the mindset here. That’s what really impresses me.

“Obviously he’s a physical specimen, he’s a gigantic light heavyweight. He does all the work, but the mind is the most powerful tool.

“Jiri’s mind is extremely special. So is Alex’s, but we always say it’s all the mind, it’s all in the head. I think he’s going to walk in there and want to take what he thinks is rightfully his. Remember he didn’t get beat, he didn’t lose it, he had to relinquish it because of injury.”

Bisping also suggested that Pereira’s own mental strength would be an asset, explaining: “He showed that he can dig deep. A lot of performances he’s gone out there, he puts people to sleep. Sometimes you’ve got to be the nail, take a whooping, and show what you’ve got mentally.”

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