UFC fighter Luke Rockhold says he is inside Michael Bisping’s head and it’s ‘p***ing him off’

UFC fighter Luke Rockhold insists he has won the mental battle against Michael Bisping, revealing: “I’m inside his head and it’s p***ing him off”.

UFC headliners Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping at Circular Quay today. This will be the first time they have been together since their fiery Sydney press conference went viral -- and global. (Pics Justin Lloyd)

UFC fighter Luke Rockhold insists he has won the mental battle against arch rival Michael Bisping, revealing: “I’m inside his head and it’s p***ing him off”.

Having watched Bisping threaten to throw The Daily Telegraph’s photographer into Sydney Harbour during a tense shoot on Monday, Rockhold said the outspoken Englishman had finally been done in by their rivalry — which stretches two years.

Indeed, while Bisping is considered something of a master when it comes to hyping a fight, his younger rival insists the intensity of their verbal sparring has rattled the Manchester middleweight.

“If you’ve watched and listened to our exchanges, you can see what’s happening,’’ Rockhold said of the pair, who headline at Allphones Arena, Homebush this Saturday.

“Bisping’s the one raising his voice and cussing. Getting p***ed off and losing his s**t.

“You saw the way he spoke to people at the shoot. That’s just the type of person he is.

“Given everything that’s happened between us there isn’t really much more to be said. But I’ve certainly enjoyed stumping him in our verbal spars, even if it’s nothing compared to what is going to happen this Saturday afternoon.”

UFC Fighters Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping exchange words.

Currently ranked fifth in the middleweight division, Rockhold says he can win his way into a title shot this weekend — but only if he completely dominates his arch rival, ranked ninth.

“That’s how I gain something from this fight — not just by winning, but how I win,’’ he says. “Beating Michael Bisping doesn’t improve my situation ... I need to go out there and make a statement.”

Among the biggest sports punters in the UFC, Rockhold has offered to bet Bisping his entire $100,000 fight purse on a first round KO. The Englishman, however, knocked back the wager — describing it as “childish”.

Originally published as UFC fighter Luke Rockhold says he is inside Michael Bisping’s head and it’s ‘p***ing him off’