Perennial UFC middleweight contender Michael Bisping has talked a lot of trash leading up to his co-headlining UFC 159 bout with Alan Belcher, stating that the meeting in the cage is just a “formality” in adding another win to his record.

“The Count” certainly didn’t sound like a fighter who has lost two of his past three fights in a recent interview with MMA Weekly:

“You’re only as good as your last fight and my last fight was a loss. And I don’t take that too well. I want to win fights. I’m a natural competitor. A win over Alan Belcher puts me back in the win column,” Bisping explained.

“A win over me for Alan Belcher will be by far the biggest win of his pathetic career
Hey bro, I ain’t going to lose to you, man. It’s in the bag. All I got to do is – it’s a formality. I just got to show up, slap your little face, take my check and go home.”

Despite never challenging for UFC gold, Bisping boasts one of the best records inside the Octagon at 13-5.

Still, he has lost to each top-ranked opponent he has faced in the past several years (Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort) so a loss to Belcher would at best make him a gatekeeper at 185-pounds.

Of course, the talent is in a similar boat, as his UFC 155 loss to Yushin Okami in September snapped a four-fight win streak, so he desperately needs a win on Saturday to remain a relevant contender at middleweight.

Belcher isn’t lacking confidence heading into this pivotal match up either, as he offered to get a tattoo of the British flag (Bisping’s home country) if he was able to finish him in the first round.

In turn, he wanted Bisping to get a replica of “The Talent’s” infamous Johnny Cash tattoo on his arm, but the former The Ultimate Fighter winner never acknowledged the bet.

Which top 10 middleweight will be able to back up their trash talk on Saturday night, Bisping or Belcher?