Rockhold explains 'pissed off' attitude: Bisping was 'classless' in victory

The conclusion of UFC 199 only seemed to intensify the rivalry between Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping.

Bisping, who entered the Octagon as a massive underdog with a record of 0-1 against Rockhold, shocked the world when he KO'd the middleweight champion in the first round. "I have to be humble here even though I want to be an a--hole," an estatic Bisping said during his post-fight interview.

Rockhold, however, feels 'The Count' was anything but humble in victory. The former champion, who also ruled as the Strikeforce 185-pound kingpin, was notably annoyed at the post-fight press conference and got into a heated verbal spat with Bisping following the event.

Rockhold clarified his stance on social media, claiming that Bisping's true character was revealed when he acted immaturely in the Octagon.

"I love the fight game and all that it offers. It's a chaotic world we live in but the reward far outweighs risk. Allowing the pressure of the situation get to me, I felt the need to preform and make a statement as opposed to staying calculated and winning the fight. I underestimated my opponent and paid for it. Forcing a fight that was unlike me, which left the door open. Credit to Micheal for being the tough guy that he is and capitalizing on the situation. Verbal warfare and fight hype is one thing, but that moment following the outcome of a fight is where a man's true character shines. After our first fight I picked him up off the canvas and gave him his due respect. Bisping went out of his way to come across the cage not to shake my hand like a man but to further mock the situation. I felt it was a classless move on his part. Thus the reason I was so pissed off at the press conference. I don't believe in kicking a man while he's down. I've been here before and I've always learned and grew from these situations. This will be no different. I will go home, heal up, and come back better than ever before. Bisping, I will see you real soon and I will finish this."

Rockhold has called for an immediate rematch with Bisping and says he understimated the Brit on fight night. It marks Rockhold's first loss in three years, after the AKA representative was knocked out in his UFC debut against Vitor Belfort in 2013.

The 31-year-old has plummeted down the pound-for-pound rankings while Bisping, who pulled off one of the biggest upset wins in MMA history, ascended to No. 9 and fulfilled his life-long championship dream.