UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is ready to follow in the footsteps of Conor McGregor.

Last month, McGregor - who holds the UFC lightweight title - made his professional boxing debut in a mega-fight with five division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

McGregor did better than expected before being stopped in the tenth round. When all of the revenue is counted up, he stands to make $100 million for the fight - something that very much interests Bisping and others.

Before Bisping can dream of making the same type of money, he must first deal with returning legend Georges St-Pierre in the main event of UFC 217 on November 4.

Bisping and Bellew have traded words in social media.

In a recent interview on BoxingScene.com, Bellew stated that it would be too easy for him to fight Bisping in a boxing ring and he would rather face him in the UFC. But Bisping feels a contest in the UFC would give him too much of an advantage and he would rather face Bellew in the ring.

"B******* to that, I'll step into a boxing ring with him," Bisping told Sportsmail when asked about Bellew's comments.

"I don't want to fight Tony Bellew in a cage, that would be too easy. Plus boxers get paid more money so I'm more than happy to box Tony Bellew, I'll step into his backyard. People will say I'm trying to copy Conor McGregor. Jesus Christ, who doesn't want to copy that $100 million.

"If Tony wants to do it, let me get Georges St-Pierre out of the way and if he's serious about it, which it sounds like he is, then I'm serious about it, 100 percent. I mean I've got no problem. I mean, Tony's got a big mouth on him and I'd love to shut it. I know I can compete with him. I've got good boxing myself. It's a different style but yeah, I'd love that challenge."