Well, I sort of disagree. The UFC is now a whore operation. Nothing wrong with that, it's just the way it is. In the NFL you earn your position in the playoffs and they go at it. With the UFC, well, it'd be like the 3-13 Browns getting a shot at the playoffs b/c they somehow have a huge media draw... so let's put the Browns in the playoffs.
I would somewhat agree with you that Bisping wouldn't get a title shot after a Gastelum win, but look at the money. Bisping says his next fight will be at the O2 in London. Now, who is the biggest draw in London maybe aside from McGregor? That would be Bisping. Bisping makes that card an instant success for the promoters. And if it's Bisping's last fight.... they add in the fact that it's a title shot to sell more tickets.
GSP -- out of the division
Whitaker -- can he fight in March vs. Bisping?
Rockhold -- interim title fight w/ Bisping if GSP out (huge fight)
Romero -- huge matchup and interim bout (if GSP out)
Weidman -- recent 3 losses, so throw him out of the picture
Brunson -- outsider, not big enough draw, out of the picture
I think it makes it sense. Bisping vs Whitaker for the title. Or Bisping vs. Rockhold/Romero for interim. Only stipulation is that GSP is out of the division. If that happens, I think it'd be greater than 50-50.
Let me know where I'm wrong. I probably missed something.
But think of Bisping vs. Whitaker/Rockhold/Romero in a exit/title fight at the O2. It would be one of the top 3 fights of the year and huge. Also, given the whore operation nature of the UFC now, it makes sense. Besides, Bisping is ranked #2 and they threw Henderson in at #15 or whatever.... so I think there's a shot.