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The British veteran reached the pinnacle of his career last year after shocking the MMA world with a knockout victory over Luke Rockhold to snatch the 185lb strap.

He made his first successful defence against Dan Henderson four months later in October – but has not returned to the Octagon since after struggling with injury.

Earlier this year, UFC chief Dana White announced Bisping would defend his belt against the returning Georges St-Pierre – but with that fight looking increasingly less likely White confirmed an interim title fight between top contenders Romero and Whittaker would take place instead.

Expected to top the bill at UFC 213, Romero goes into the fight as the 4/6 favourite over Whittaker with both men riding impressive win streaks.

(Image: DAILY STAR ONLINE/GETTY)

The Cuban Missile’s eight-fight rampage has seen him take the scalps of Chris Weidman, Tim Kennedy and Lyoto Machida, while Kiwi Whittaker extended his run to seven without defeat after knocking out Jacare Souza in April.

Speaking to Daily Star Online at the premiere of his new film My Name Is Lenny, Bisping, 38, ripped into 40-year-old Romero.

Repeating allegations he has made frequently against Romero in the last 12 months, the Manchester man ranted: “The more time passes, the steroids are gonna wear off.

(Image: GETTY)

“Whittaker is too good on the feet, he’s got better footwork.

“He’s a better boxer, he’s younger. He’ll knock him [Romero] out in the fourth.”

Romero served a six-month suspension in 2016 after testing positive for a banned substance from a contaminated supplement.

Romero’s manager, Abraham Kawa, told Daily Star Online: “This accusation is already been played out with Mike. He knows very well USADA has already established and has confirmed that Yoel did not, in fact, use steroids.

“He was the victim of taking a contaminated supplement. If you research the case on USADA’s website you will see the facts and see he was only punished for being careless in reporting what he was and was not taking during the required testing protocols.

“Yoel has been tested almost more than any athlete under the program and has not failed one fight night test and continues to pass all tests thus far.”

My Name Is Lenny is now available via digital download, DVD and Blu-ray as well as select cinemas nationwide.