UFC 100: Michael Bisping may be better than you think

by MMAmania.com on Jun 23, 2009 10:56 PM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"The guy’s a lot better than I thought. I wrestled and rolled with him, and he’s hard as fuck to take down, hard to hold down. He’s a lot stronger than he looks. He looks good, fit, but he’s strong. He’s fast, he’s an athlete. He’s a fucking good athlete. That’s the most surprising thing.... Coming in, I know how tough Dan (Henderson) is. I fought alongside him in Pride and I didn’t know … now I’m confident in Mike. Sparring and wrestling with him has made me confident."

Mixed martial arts veteran, Phil Baroni -- who has competed all over the world and trained in several of the best gyms in the nation, including American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) and X-Treme Couture -- talks about a recent workout with Micheal Bisping. "The Count" -- who has battled harsh critics ever since winning The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 -- is preparing for the biggest fight of his career against former dual Pride FC champion, Dan Henderson, at UFC 100 on July 11. He is currently the underdog with most sportsbooks (+190), as well as among most fans outside of his native United Kingdom. Is it because of the experience factor (he's clearly overmatched), his perceived arrogant personality, or as Baroni suggests, is Bisping just terribly underrated? We'll find out in a few weeks, but for now sound off in the comments section below.

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Comments

cant wait for this event!!!

by Nor-Cal Mexican (formely phlicutioner) on Jun 23, 2009 10:58 PM EDT reply actions

for sure dude

i got lesnar, alves, hendo, fitch and the sexyness

by Jared on Jun 23, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I gut is telling me
lesner
GSP
hendo
fitch
akiyama
Bonnar

but im hoping for

Mir
Alves
hendo
thiago
akiyama
coleman

by Nor-Cal Mexican (formely phlicutioner) on Jun 23, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Baroni is marginal at best

by Bennie Blanco on Jun 24, 2009 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

lol ya i was woundering who the were quoting and laughed when i read it was baroni

by JG on Jun 24, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions

That may possibly be the smartest thing Baroni has ever uttered in his life. I’m a Hendo Fan, but I put 400 on Bisping at 3-1 a couple of mths ago, if Hendo wins it might be the most satisfying bet I’ve ever lost.

by DAVE A on Jun 24, 2009 6:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m with you Dave. As most know around these parts, I’m the biggest Hendo fan around. However, when I saw the opening odds at -500 and +300, I also put money down on Bisping. Hendo is aging quicker and quicker and has NOT looked like his former PRIDE self. He doesn’t have the same aggression. Come UFC 100 nothing would make me happier than seeing Hendo knock Bisping out cold with his big overhand right. However, Bisping picking Dan apart from the outside with his speed, reach, and technique will be enough to win him a decision unless Dan finishes the fight or uses his grecco-roman to clinch, dirty box, and take him down for GnP to win him the decision.

CAN NOT WAIT FOR UFC 100.

by ViolentMike on Jun 24, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Holy shite…. Now that someone as respected as Phil Baroni has given their vote of confidence for Pissping, I am definitely jumping off the Hendo war wagon. LMAO

Go back to the park and finish your NKOTB dance routine with Coleman “Baloni.”

by Cole on Jun 24, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I got $100 on Bisping at +300.

I cant believe I am saying this, but I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH PHIL BARONI! Wow! Never thought I would utter those words.

Its really a shame at the lack of respect that Bisping gets around here. He is severely underrated by 90% of this site (especially Americans). He keeps getting better and better every time he steps in the cage and not enough people give him credit for what an athlete he is, his GREAT CHIN, and great wrestling for a brit!

by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

didn’t rampage say how hard bisping was to take down before the hammill fight? and hammill outboxed him and took him down at will almost.

by buttcrack obama bin laden on Jun 24, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Henderson is getting old ‘n’ slow, I def see him as the underdog against Bisping… I like Michael and i think he’s too fast for Hendo in this fight

by RoB on Jun 24, 2009 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

if rich franklin or randy couture said this i would be like “damn, hendo better watch out” but its phil bologna

i got lesnar, GSP, Hendo, jones, bonnar, and fitch

by mikeybear on Jun 23, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

you got it. Unfortunately, there’s no good money to be made on these heavy fav’s unless you bet the whole roll. I think Bisping might surprise us. I have money on him b/c of the odds, but unless Hendo has lost a step, I’d have to give him a slight edge. The best bet may be Lesnar alothough I’m waiting until the last minute in hopes that the odds will tighten more. GSP is a very heavy fav so the odds aren’t good and Alves has big KO power so I’d put that as the second best place to put money. Having said that, if GSP keeps it practical, he should have no problem putting Alves on his back and dominating the fight.

by Punch You in the Ovaries on Jun 24, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Help me out Master…your kind of confusing me.Are you going for Brock or The irrelevant MUR?

BTW if Hendo was able to implement a good strategy for 3 rounds against Franklin…He’s more,than capable to repeat his exploit against a guy a that is a notch under(Bisping)…right?
What’s your thought about this?

by Alpha Male 360 on Jun 24, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Bisping will win this decision.

Brock will win easily…

and considering the odds, you HAVE TO LAY A LITTLE Sumptin sumptin on THE MUY TAI WRECKING MACHINE, no matter how big of a GSP fan you are!

Akiyama wont lose, but one of my 10 mma BETTING Commandments is to not bet on fighters making their Octagon debut. HOwever, I think the world of Akiyama, and not much of Belcher, so my dumbass will break one of my Commandemnts and bet something small on Akiyama Bringing SEXY Back to the UFC!!!!!

Cant bet the Fitch/THiago fight cause Paulo is still a mystery!

by JOhn G on Jun 24, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I want Mur to win, but I think Brock will win. I’m not 100% confident that Brock will win, but I’m pretty sure and if you can get him at -200 or so that’s a good bet IMO compared to all the other payoffs on the main card.

As for Hendo: Yes, I agree he has a slight edge based on past performance. The questions are: 1. has he lost a step? 2. How good is Bisping today? I thought Franklin won the fight with Hendo. And I wouldn’t call Bisping definitively lower-rate than Rich. We don’t know yet. All I know is +300 for Bisping was rediculous so I jumped on it months ago. I didn’t put much down so if Hendo wins, no big deal.

by Punch You in the Ovaries on Jun 24, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I,will appreciate if you,can comes up with something other,than your yin yang philosophy on each fights!I’ll give you till the last week to make you decision!

Show me the money homie$$$$

by Alpha Male 360 on Jun 24, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

That was a joke Punch!Don’t pay too much attention to it!

by Alpha Male 360 on Jun 24, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

$100 on GSP, $100 on Brock, $100 on Bonner, $20 on Bisping (at the old odds)

by Punch You in the Ovaries on Jun 24, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Jared, my picks exactly.

GSP is good but he won’t be able to take down Alves who is as athletic and probably cuts more weight than GSP.

Alves by brutal KO. GSP’s chin hasn’t been tested, nor has his front leg. Although GSP may get takedowns if Alves is kicking a lot.

by Bennie Blanco on Jun 24, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions

say wut? gsp will take him down at will. his only problem will be to not take damage on the way in. once he closes the gap its down town time baby!!!

by day1er on Jun 24, 2009 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Bennie, serious? GSP chin was tested…tko serra if you recall

by Cromzinc on Jun 24, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions

the punch that began the end of the 1st GSP VS Serra fight was the one that grazed the back of GSP’s head and gave him rubber legs.

by DAVE A on Jun 24, 2009 6:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m going with all your opposite picks Jared….Bisping is a solid fighter does everything well, Rashad couldn’t keep him down, Hendo will not either, Mir chokes out Brock in the first, Mir has too many ways to beat him, Alves is a muscle machine that keeps coming forward, which will play right into GSP’s hands, GSP deosn’t get enough respect on here, take away the Serra fight and who is more impressive GSP or Anderson?

by Robert(1) on Jun 24, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I like your style Robert(1). You took the words right out of my mouth.

by Holyghost on Jun 24, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

UFC 100 is a couple of weeks away f&*king christams in JULY !!!!!

if rich franklin or randy couture said this i would be like "damn, hendo better watch out" but its phil bologna

i got lesnar, GSP, Hendo, jones, bonnar, and fitch

by mikeybear on Jun 23, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

i say the same thing when i am in bed for the first time with a new girl
doesn’t mean i am!!

by bryant on Jun 23, 2009 10:59 PM EDT reply actions

…huh??

by Crowls on Jun 24, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

it’s because he’s not a better fighter than henderson

by warwagonmma on Jun 23, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

whats also funny here is the end of that interview, where baroni hpyes the fight as if for himself, verbal assult against hendo! lets be honest here, bisping will not knock hendo out, hendo on the other hand can, bisping will not out wrestle hendo, hendo will destroy him on the ground, same as the clinch, i dont think bisping will throw many kicks for fear of being taken down, and if he does manage to win this it will more than likley be from peppering dan with jabs, keeping the distance for three rounds, just my opinion!

off topic here, theres a rumour going around about a possible match up between franklin and liddell for ufc 103, just a rumour on some sites but its pretty intresting that dana’s comments as of late have tamed a bit about liddell being actually retired!

by jslim on Jun 23, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

jslim, that’s exactly how he’ll beat Henderson if he does win.

by Kelvin Hunt on Jun 23, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

yup like he did to Leben, dont think hendo will let that happen though

by Nor-Cal Mexican (formely phlicutioner) on Jun 23, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

honest prediction of the fight

Round 1- Rewatch pride 33. Hendo’s striking looked amazing. He was training with Shawn Thompkins. Guess who he is training his striking with now. I think Hendo will start off strong and possibly even hurt bisping but my guess is hell rock him once and end the round with a takedown and gnp.
Round 1 all hendo.

Round 2- Hendo and bisbing exchange strikes and bisping may start to find his riddum. but no way in hell bisbing stops a hendo takedown and here is where i think dan will finish the count with strikes from gnp

Round 3- Hendo will probably win the second but by now if he hasnt gassed bisping will dominate this round. no way in hell bispign hurts dan but hell probably land the more effective strikes.

my prediction
dan by tko
if not it will probably be dan by u. decision

by Jared on Jun 23, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

i included round 3 just incase dan doesnt win it in the second but hed definately win that round to

by Jared on Jun 23, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

lol, Dan’s striking looked amazing in pride 33 because Wandi shouldn’t have even been fighting that night; he flew to vegas like 2 days before the fight didn’t climatize his body and ended up stepping into the ring with a fever of over 100 degrees; Rewatch pride 33 again; tell me Wanderlei doesn’t look like somethings wrong with him in that fight.

by O damn he got caught on Jun 24, 2009 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions

And no, I’m not saying Hendo wouldn’t have won; I’m saying you got the impression that Hendo’s hands were “amazing” because of his opponents lack luster performance.

by O damn he got caught on Jun 24, 2009 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions

once bisping beats someone in the top ten then maybe ill say hes underrated… but beating guys like jason day, charles mccarthy, and chris leben does not impress me…

by brendan on Jun 23, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions

That makes no sense. If he beats someone in the top ten, he will be “rated”.

Not only that, a split decision loss to Rashad who until recently, and can be argued, is still in the top 5 at LIGHT HW, how can you not say hes underrated? Has Rashad just plummeted out the top 10? Didnt do bad considering it was the wrong weight class.
You should think before making silly comments.

by UK_Chris on Jun 24, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I think bisping cant hurt hendo that much. He cant even knock out leben.

by ryan on Jun 23, 2009 11:21 PM EDT reply actions

well leben is a tuff fucker though his only been tko’d ouce by the spyder and he took several shoots from the him!!

by Nor-Cal Mexican (formely phlicutioner) on Jun 23, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Leben may not be a top 10 fighter but he has a hell of a chin. He’s only been (T)KO’ed once and that was by Anderson Silva. So I wouldn’t use the fact that Bisping couldn’t knock out Leben as an indicator that he doesn’t have KO power. A lot of guys with KO power i.e. Patrick Cote, Alessio Sakara, etc. haven’t been able to KO Leben either. I’m giving a slight edge to Hendo in this due to experience but I think this will be a much closer fight than anyone is expecting. I’m still rooting for Bisping because he was one of my favorite personalities from all TUF seasons. Can’t wait for this card.

by Captain Ernesto on Jun 23, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Ive been reading on this site for a several months now but its just my 1st time on commenting here because ive been trying to read almost every thread. Ive finally caught up.
I think im hooked to mmamania already.

by ryan on Jun 23, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah this site is the bomb I check it several times a day though I don’t necessarily post as much as the regulars who have no lives (kidding!). Mania also has a group on Facebook FYI. How’d it feel popping your mmamania cherry?

by Captain Ernesto on Jun 24, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Look captain. Henderson’s chin is legendary. Minatouro, Page, Wandy, Belfort and the Spider himself could not knock him out. U think Michael “I knock out Dan in a video game on a regular basis” Bisping will knockout Hollywood in an actual fight. Bisping did beat Leben and fought a smart fight and there is nothing wrong with that(I hated that fight). He did not wanted to trade with Leben He wasn’t aggressive enough to be looking for a Knock out win. U realllllyyy think he is going to want to trade with Dan. HaHaHa I laugh at your stupidity. He might win a desicion using his speed and better technique But i highly doubted. Dan is going to cut him off, take him down, and ground and pound to a second round tko. Or knock him out cold. Either way I’ll only be happy if Henderson give bisping his first lose by stoppage.

by dkortez on Jun 24, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

You are forgetting Bisping does have some pretty descent knee strikes that he could connect with.
Why is it ok for a wrestler to not trade with someone and not get ktfo by keeping there opponent pinned to the floor, but when a striker boxes smart and uses skill and technique to avoid getting hit everybody makes a big deal out of it. It seems that because everbody loves wrestling so much, they do not have an issue with it. At least when they are both standing your opponent still has every opportunity to take you out, that is not the case when you have someone lying on top of you.

by Ade on Jun 24, 2009 4:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Damn good point Ade.

by Nick J on Jun 24, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

he said BEAT someone in the top ten, what was silly about that? maybe your argument he didn’t BEAT rashad. tito took rashad and machida the distance but i dont rank him top ten either. he got his ass beat on by hammill but was lucky he had the home court advantage. bisping hasn’t really shown me much. maybe he is a great fighter down the road and maybe he proves it at 100, but i’m not impressed yet. he has no power in his strikes and it’s hard to keep someone like dan away without it.

by buttcrack obama bin laden on Jun 24, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

“He cant even knock out leben.”

HAHAHA classic. The fact Leben has only ever been knocked out once speaks volumes doesnt it? Obviously not.

by UK_Chris on Jun 24, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

if he wins i’ll be pissed as hell cause ufc is already planning a england card in nov to face the spider if he wins

by bryant on Jun 23, 2009 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

Hendo will pound on him for three rounds, but I think Bisping will hold on and go the distance.

by Jay on Jun 23, 2009 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

Bisping should go watch Hendo-Misaki 2 and follow that

by R/p on Jun 24, 2009 12:20 AM EDT reply actions

bisping will work hendo to a decision…he’s gone a long way since the ultimate fighter..he may have fought cans before but he definately showed he can hang in their with a strong brawler like chris leben…tho chris leben may not be a top 10 hes still one hell of a badass…ufc 100 is gonna be a great show!!!

by jmartinee on Jun 24, 2009 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

Leban was on roids and still couldn’t do anything to Bisping. Just a thought….

by Silasm on Jun 24, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

All of you guys keep talking.Bisping is wildly under rated

by the man on Jun 24, 2009 12:37 AM EDT reply actions

I hear ya and totally agree.WHEN Bisping wins don’t say you weren’t told about his abilities.

by Chipmunk on Jun 24, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions

booooooring!!!! i got hendo, gsp and akiyama…

war the akiyama band wagon!

by gaara on Jun 24, 2009 1:07 AM EDT reply actions

I hate tha count but hes gonna beat down and tko hendo,,,hendo is in the to many brawls doesnt have it any more club wit wandy,big nog,hendo,tito ortiz

people please dont say well hendo jus beat rich yeah he got the decision frankiln won that fight hendo pulled a jake obrien huggie bear move lay n pray and its so sad to see a great warrior turn into jake obrien

by juggalomike on Jun 24, 2009 1:20 AM EDT reply actions

This fight will tell us all we ever wanted to know about Bisping. I think it will be out with the old (Hendo) and in with the new, Bisping.

by scissorfight on Jun 24, 2009 2:24 AM EDT reply actions

If anything, we’ll find out that Henderson is tremendously over-rated, which I think he is.

Baroni’s endorsement, however glowing, isn’t worth much.

by clayton on Jun 24, 2009 2:33 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, and also, hopefully we’ll find out that Bisping doesn’t suck, which is a bizarrely common opinion, it seems.

by clayton on Jun 24, 2009 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Too bad Baroni weighs 170 pounds and gets out wrestled by Joe Riggs.

Hard to compare that kind of wrestling credential to someone who is a former olympian.

by DirtyML on Jun 24, 2009 4:20 AM EDT reply actions

So True!

by attakdog on Jun 24, 2009 6:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Face it yanks, the UK is catching you up in MMA! Granted Bisping is a very annoying man and if he was a Yank then I would hate him but hes not so he is my hero! Hendo will lose this match and I think you will be surprised by how easily bisping puts him away. It is a very good bet with the ods!

by cjgilly on Jun 24, 2009 4:36 AM EDT reply actions

This is going to be great. im looking forward to this then anyother fight on that card

by Joey on Jun 24, 2009 5:18 AM EDT reply actions

Bisping has never been stopped. Where did Hendos hype come from, he stopped silva years ago – then what….? you cannot doubt Bisping after he wins this.

by Insain on Jun 24, 2009 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

Bisping by tko. $500 on the nose at $3.35. I feel very relaxed.

by Rilly on Jun 24, 2009 7:34 AM EDT reply actions

Bizzzzbing punches like a fairy and Hendo has a granite jaw. In the words of Ivan Drago “You will lose”.

by attakdog on Jun 24, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Bisping might have a shot, but the fact that people are putting any basis behind what Phil fucking Baroni is saying is mind boggling to me.

Regardless of whether or not he wins, I have NO DOUBT in my mind Hendo will be the better wrestler – therefore making Baroni’s comment null in void.

by WB on Jun 24, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

am english and hendo and bisbing are two of my favourite fighters i was pissed off when i heard they were fighting. And when hendo knocked wandy out wandy was sick and everyone forgets that wandy has also beaten henderson before that. Plus wandy is a bit reckless and bisbing can get up pretty good from take downs and isn’t reckless which might tire hendo out but will he tire him out in time. Sometimes i wish big fights were 5 rounds because maybe franklin would have won 5 rounds against hendo maybe bisping might suffer the same fate as franklin did. This is what i see happening unless bisping can avoid early takedowns which is gona be tough. Alot of people think hendo is done which is stupid he is still one of the top guys in his division and if bisping does pull it off i can see alot of yanks sayin hendo is done and still giving bisping no respect. Even if bisping goes to the judges and losses to dan he will have done us proud because hendo is a legend and hardly no one is gona ko hendo anyway especially in a 3 round fight rampage franklin or the spyder couldn’t ko him and rampage was a 5 round fight which some people thought hendo won. Remember bisping also fighting an american crowd that want blood too lol

by they american hand grenade from england on Jun 24, 2009 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

I think alot of people are underestimating Bisping in this fight! To be honest I think this fight will go much the same way as the Evans fight! Bisping will get taken down in the first two rounds, but will pick Hendo off in the stand up and finish strong in the third! Depending on the judges i think Hendo will win by decision but will completely gas in the third! Bisping’s wrestling is well underated, theres rumours that hes been taking Rampage down often in the gym!

by oli on Jun 24, 2009 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

you mean the same rampage that said how hard bisping is to take down before the hammill fight. hammill didn’t seem to have alot of trouble in that area.

by buttcrack obama bin laden on Jun 24, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Everyone else is talking about bisbing’s wrestling and how he is under-rated. I dont care what the judges scorecards read int he end he lost to another wrestler in Matt Hamill. Dana even admitted it was a BS decision there is no way bisbing won that fight only to see him gloat. I hope Hendo gives him the overhand right and dislocates his jaw.

by Ralphie on Jun 24, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

get over the hamil fight will you bisbing was in the wrong division anyway i carnt believe people are still talkin about that shit if dana thinks its BS then he should get better judge’s shouldn’t he both were americans that scored bisbing but am sure you all no that years and years later. But its alright for hamil to jump around like that fat shit off goonies when munoz is lying thier lifeless in the corner sooo much class shown thier. Bisbing vs hamil fight is older than dan severn if you wana hate bisbing think of something else apart from him being english he was robbed in the evans fight uno former lhw champ why do you not mention that?

by where do you get off going over my head an talking about me behind my back on Jun 24, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

because rashad held him donw no way bisbing won that fight. I never once mentioned i hate him because he is english. if you remember his post fight interview he said he had dominated hamill which in no way he didnt.

by Ralphie on Jun 24, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

“rashad held him donw”

and did what?? NOTHING; he couldn’t even keep him down, despite doing nothing else but trying to keep the fight on the ground. Bisping took no dmg, and got up from under him on every TD; I also had Bisping winning that fight; Rashad got the “W” off lay n pray.

by O damn he got caught on Jun 24, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

A win is a win. You contradicted yourself. I had bisbing winning the fight and you then admit rashad won with lay and pray.

by Ralphie on Jun 24, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think you understand the english definition of the word “contradiction” to be telling me that I contradicted myself. Maybe you should check out a dictionary before you go trying to nit pick someone else’s post.

“Rashad got the “W” off lay n pray"

is not the same as “I think Rashad Evans won the fight”; did the Judges give Rashad the win? yes, they did. Do I still think Bisping really won that fight and that the judges were wrong? yes I do. Now IF it was my opinion that both Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping won that fight, then that would be me contradicting myself. My post however, doesn’t read like that. You might try being accurate before being a smart @ss.

by O damn he got caught on Jun 24, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

your post reads that you had bisbing winning the fight rashad won with lay and ptay this isnt english maybe if you had bisbings nuts out of your mouth you would be able to function better

by ralphie on Jun 24, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

lol, yea get butt hurt because you don’t know wtf “contradiction” means

by O damn he got caught on Jun 25, 2009 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I cant believe the blind faith some people have in dan henderson.

His only road to victory is by knocking bisping out.

Bisping has speed,striking and cardio Hendo has his overhand right and lay & pray…thats it.

Bisping will be too fast and too smart to get caught with the overhand right and no one at 185lbs (except silva) is capable of holding him down.

Bisping by UD

I dont understand what makes 1 person a great fighter and another a bad one in some peoples opinions, the most common point made by people is that he hasnt fought any quality oposition..fair enough but neither has maia and hes one of the very best in the world aparently.

I do like the fact that the outright hatred for bisping seems to have calmed down.

If he beats henderson Id be interested to see where he comes in on insideMMA’s top ten list that comes on during the show..Hendo is at 2 or 3 right now bisping isnt on it

by Confused on Jun 24, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

maia has fought better compition then bisbing in my opinion given neither one has really fought top 10 (rashad was not top 10 when he first met bisbing)if bisbing wins they will have a number 1 contender. i just dont see it happening bisbing has had problems with wrestlers. we will see.

by Ralphie on Jun 24, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

At the end of the day this one comes down to the judges! There seems to be concensus in MMA, where the takedown is king! Someone can dominate the stand up for 3 minutes of the round, then be taken down and layed on for a minute and the other guy wins the round! The scoring needs to reflect the nature of the sport….Mixed Martial Arts, where every aspect of the sport receives equal reward! I was glad to see Dan Hardy win the decision over Marcus Davis as it was clear that Hardy had inflicted much more damage during the fight despite Davis’ superior wrestling.

Even as a Brit I accept that Hamill probably won the fight against Bisping but every true MMA fan knows how quickly people can evolve in this sport and I truly believe Bisping’s game has evolved since that fight. Henderson definitely has the knockout power and wrestling to win this match but Bisping’s cardio and kickboxing may end up proving too much for Hendo!

by oli on Jun 24, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

Weak sauce!

by Kevin on Jun 24, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

i bet matt hamill would disagree, especially with the “hard as fuck to take down” part

by AzCombat on Jun 24, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Look Ade, i get your point about strikers not be criticised for trying to avoid punishment, but for you to condem wrestling because of its succesfulness in the sport is ridiculous. It sounds like you are implying that wrestling does not require technique. Fights are scored by ring/octagon control and not all wrestler just lay and pray the good wrestlers in mma g&p. And when a person is “lying on top of you” you can use submissions to “take them out” which you seem to be forgetting or neglecting to mention. Maybe you should watch more mma to learn more about the sub game. It sounds like you are saying using wrestling is unfair or cowardly when in fact it can be quite tacticall. Maybe your strikers need to develop td defense and sub off from the bottom.

by Nemesis (Shepherd Captain) on Jun 25, 2009 3:22 AM EDT reply actions

Look Ade, you seem condeming wrestling for its succesfulness in mma. You almost seem to imply that it is an unfair advantage. I think strikers should be able to avoid damage but so should wrestlers. It is mma so use everything in your tool bag to win. Not all wrestlers lay and pray good wrestlers in mma have devestating g&p. And if your opponent is “lying on top of you” your opponent has the “opportunity to finish the fight” by using submissions. It is odd that you are forgetting/neglecting to mention that. Maybe strikers need to develop better td defense and better sub offense.

by Nemesis (Shepherd Captain) on Jun 25, 2009 3:29 AM EDT reply actions