Following his win over Jorge Rivera at UFC 127, Michael Bisping was seen spitting on Rivera's corner and getting in the face of the clearly wobbly Rivera. Bisping was screaming at Rivera to apologize for the videos he released leading up the fight, which made fun of the Brit.

Bisping also landed an illegal knee on Rivera during the first round of the fight. Rivera was on his knees when Bisping threw a brutal knee that connected perfectly on Rivera's chin. Rivera's eyes were glossy and he seemed out of it. The ringside doctors and referee consulted on whether or not to halt the contest. Rivera insisted that he could continue.

Rivera fought on and was eventually defeated via TKO in the second round. However many viewed the knee as intentional. Many fans and analysts believed that Bisping had to have known that Rivera was down when he threw the knee.

Regardless, Rivera's management team Alchemist released a statement today in response to Bisping's actions. You can read it below.

"Michael Bisping’s conduct in the Octagon at UFC 127 was unconscionable, unprofessional, and smacks of a man with no morals or character. During the first round of their fight, Jorge Rivera had BOTH knees on the canvas when Bisping stopped, sized Jorge up, and delivered a massive knee to a vulnerable and downed opponent. This knee was illegal and clearly intentional. The rules that govern the sport are in place to protect the health and well being of the fighters. Bisping blatantly broke these rules and there has to be accountability. A professional fighter knows when to pull the trigger on a strike and when not to, so for Bisping to say he did not intend to throw the knee is disingenuous.

Bisping’s conduct after he was awarded the TKO is not acceptable. Taunting and spitting at and on Jorge’s coach Matt Phinney is the deplorable conduct of a school yard bully. Like all bullies Mr. Bisping needs to be punished. In this instance it would be appropriate if Bisping is fined and suspended by the athletic commission and/or the UFC.

Jorge Rivera could have decided to not continue fighting and walked away with the win because he was clearly dazed and not himself. Instead he took the warriors path and fought on. Jorge is to be commended for his toughness and desire to give the fans the fight they paid to see. Jorge takes great pride in the efforts he made to promote the fight and fully supports the pre-fight videos he used in an unprecedented manner to drive interest in UFC 127. In no way were Jorge’s remarks or videos anything more than marketing designed to take Michael Bisping out of his game.

Jorge would like his fans to know that he tried to give them the performance they deserve. He looks forward to the opportunity to step into the Octagon again fight for the UFC and his fans."

Respectfully.

Alchemist