Brit-picking: UK elite sound off on Bisping vs Henderson for UFC 100
by Jesse Holland on Jul 3, 2009 12:08 PM EDT
64 comments
The rivalry between The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 coaches, Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson, will culminate at UFC 100 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 11.
UFC President Dana White revealed that with a win, "The Count" would earn a title shot, which would likely take place in the United Kingdom later this year.
Bisping — TUF 3 light heavyweight winner and current British UFC posterboy — blasted his way onto the "U.S. vs. U.K." season of TUF with a unanimous decision victory over Chris Leben at UFC 89 in October 2008.
He has looked reborn since dropping down from 205 to 185 pounds, thrashing Jason Day at UFC 85: "Bedlam" and putting it on Charles McCarthy at UFC 83 for the majority of the first round to earn a technical knockout win after "Chainsaw" could not answer the bell for the second frame.
This is without question the biggest fight of Bisping’s career. Not only because it has title shot implications, but because Henderson is a crafty veteran who has competed against many of the best in the sport throughout his prestigious career.
Indeed, Henderson would be a huge feather in the Brit’s cap and perhaps signal a changing of the guard in the 185-pound division.
Not surprisingly, Bisping has a nation of MMA fans behind him back home. Among them are some of the best and brightest on the current British fight scene who made their predictions over at UFC.com on the upcoming fight.
This may come as a shock, but Bisping swept the UK predictions by a score of 6-0.
Take a look.
From Dan "The Outlaw Hardy:"
"My prediction is Bisping by unanimous decision. I see the fight being a back-and-forth battle, with Bisping avoiding big haymakers and fighting out of the clinch quite a lot. I can’t see Henderson getting stopped, but I think Mike will outwork him and land the better shots. Bisping will steadily land quality strikes on Dan and avoid getting put on his back."
Paul "Tellys" Kelly:
"I’m not being biased because we’re teammates, but I truly believe Mike will dominate Henderson. With the form that Mike is showing right now and the shape that he’s in, I don’t see how many middleweights can beat him. He’s only a couple of steps away from a title now and I’ve never seen him hungrier. I’m convinced he’ll be holding that UFC middleweight title by the end of the year. The Mike Bisping that we all see in the gym is unbeatable at middleweight. He’s too fit, too strong and too good for all of them."
Terry Etim:
"I see Mike taking the fight and winning in style. He needs to use his footwork well and avoid Henderson’s takedowns. Even if Henderson does take Mike down, I can still see Mike just getting straight back up. Mike is in his prime right now and he seems to be getting better with each and every fight. I’ve got no doubt he’ll raise his game even further against Henderson. This is Mike’s time now. Henderson was a double-champion in PRIDE and beating him will be a massive scalp for Mike."
Ross "Real Deal" Pearson:
"This is Mike’s time to shine now. He’s proven himself in the UFC with wins over some good guys and I now think he’s ready to take on the elite level. Before The Ultimate Fighter I had no idea how good Mike was. I’d always looked up to him as a fighter, but I never truly knew how good he was before I started training with him. It was a complete shock to me when I discovered just how good Mike was in all departments - stand-up, wrestling and jiu-jitsu. Mike wasn’t even in fighting shape during the show and I was still amazed at some of the stuff he could do."
For more UK predictions on the chances of Michael Bisping including "Relentless" Paul Taylor and John Hathaway, head over to UFC.com .
To catch up on all the latest happenings for UFC 100 click here .
0 recs |
64 comments
Email
Print
Comments
I know this is a very pro-Bisping web site, but I am quite sick of seeing a legend like Dan Henderson being written off like he is some foot note, Bisping is a hell of a fighter, but people are already acting like this is some sort of coronation or coming out party for Bisping, and I have a feeling old Hollywood will have something to say before he passes the preverbial torch
__
I think Hendo would get more support if he did more PR stuff — which in turn would give us more to print. Bisping on the other hand won’t shut up so there’s a plethora of quotes and interviews, etc. I have “Hollywood” by UD for the record, I’ll explain why in my Nostradumbass column.
-JH
by Dave on Jul 3, 2009 12:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That wasnt a dig at you Jesse, when I said pro Bisping web site, I was referring tot he posters, Love your work man
by Dave on Jul 3, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pro Bisping website? wtf are u talking about man! Hendo might not get a lot of publicity, because like Jesse said, he really doesnt do a lot of pR…but I spend days defending Bisping and the lack of respect that the bloggers on this site have for Bisping’s skills. Bloggers on this site are FAR from Pro-Bisping. Try the exact opposite. Especially my fellow American BLoggers.
Who the hell has written Dan off? I have always been a big Hendo fan, but I have been one of the FEW that say that he might be starting to fade and that its Bispings time now. 90% of this site says Bisping is vastly over rated and that he cant possibly beat Hendo. He started off as a 3-1 favorite over Bisping in the betting world. hOw can Dan Henderson be WRITTEN OFF since he is a pretty big favorite in the minds of the oddsmakers as well as 90% of this site?
by JOhn G on Jul 3, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
gotta agree with john here even if i am one of the bloggers who enjoys bashing bisping! So in continuing tradition, Hendo is gonna body clinch him and fold him backwards ala Okami-Swick. Then is the real ugliness when he lnps him with occasional bombs for three rounds.
by NameNotRequired on Jul 3, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bisping will have no problem against Henderson standing as long as he avoids the ever-predictable right hand and keeps moving off the cage to negate being smushed against it and battered.
On the ground, though, it’s no contest. Henderson will take him down and keep him there, and that’s how he’ll win the fight.
That being said, I must admit that Henderson looks old and small lately, and Bisping’s striking has looked very nice at MW (although he doesn’t possess the power to hurt Henderson). So of the three main event fights at 100, this is the one where I’m least confident of my pick.
by Jeremyjackson on Jul 3, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats bec. bisping is truly a boring overrated and a d-bag…fact!
by gaara on Jul 4, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
people write off Hendo because they can’t remember the last impressive fight he was in. Bisping had similar issues a year ago but I think he’s turned the corner.
I’m frankly sick of fighters like Hendo & Guida that just sit on their opponents and do little to nothing.
by kibbled_bits on Jul 3, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
when has Heno ever done a Guida? Maybe a little in the Anderson fight, but you’d have to be out of your mind to stand with Silva. In my oppinion every Dan Henderson fight has been exciting. And like in the Marquardt vs Maia fight, I’m picking the fighter with more ways to win. Hendo can KO Bisbing standing or on the ground or he could take a decision with a nice mix of takedowns and good shots standing. Bisbing has only one way to win, by jabbing and running his way to a decision. When was the last time Hendo was knocked out? Oh yeah, never. And when has Bisbing ever submitted anyone in the UFC? I do think Bisbing might be able to take Hendo down once or twice (Hendo is more vulnrable to takedowns than most wrestlers his level because he throws his hands so wild), but I don’t think he’s going to consistantly out wrestle Dan. The only way for him to win this fight is for him to do what he did to Leben and I don’t see it happening.
by DB on Jul 3, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you know Hendo can Ko Bisping? Have you ever seen Bisping get knocked out? Have you ever seen Bisping get TKO’ed? Have you ever seen Bisping even stunned? Maybe you have some fight footage that I am not privy to, but last I checked Bisping took his GRANITE JAW and went toe to toe with Mark “the BEAST” Epstein, TWICE, and wasnt close to being stropped!
Yes Hendo HIts like a mAC TRUCK, how could he not? HE THROWS NOTHING but HAYMAKERS..Hendo gets credited for having the Iron Jaw, but until I see Bisping get Ko’ed, TKO’ed or ROCKED…then in my eyes….his jaw is just as STURDY!!!!!
by JOhn G on Jul 3, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whats up now UK chaps, in the words of the great Smokey “You got knocked the fuck out!” i just wanna see the post fight interview. I dont think Bisping will be back for a while.
by USA on Jul 13, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dont you get the feeling Hendo is underrated with a few loses to excellent opponents, and that Bisbing is overrated with a few wins over weaker opponents (or even loses to people like Matt Hammil)
by Bennie Blanco on Jul 3, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
first we had a majority of American wrestlers sounding off and now all English men
they should ask more Brazilian
by ufcaddict on Jul 3, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
imo~ this fight will be closer then all the other fights on the card. i have no idea who takes the win..
by stinky~fingers on Jul 3, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
bispings younger and faster…plus i got some money on him haha
by tiger_style on Jul 3, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
o wow…all the uk fighters taking bisbing what a shock….so i guess everyone over there is as dumb as he is, and blind too. Sorry just dont see bisbing beating hendo…henderson will use his wrestling to win hes too strong for him…we all seen the trouble he had with hamill. Henderson by unanimous decision.
by britkilla187 on Jul 3, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
THanks for the lesson in mma math! 220 lb Matt Hammil, took down but couldnt HOLD DOWN Bisping, so in your eyes that means that Hendo, can AUTOMATICALLY take Bisping down and hold him there…when great wrestlers at 205 lbs like Hammil and Rashad couldnt? yeah, yeah yeah, I know about all the Olympic Credentials…but not only is Bisping and underated wrestler…people dont realize how big he is for the middleweight division.
THis will be a really close fight…all I know for sure is that Bisping wont be spending 15 minutes on his back….This fight will take place standing..and in that department…BIG ADVANTAGE TO BISPING in my eyes!
by JOhn G on Jul 3, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this unity shit is getting a bit gay…why dont they make a smart prediction on the skills involved in the fight…henderson by complete domination.
by britkilla187 on Jul 3, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My prediction is you won’t come back to this site after Bisping defeats Hendo.
by Ca$z on Jul 3, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe before everyone continues their Bisping bashing, they should point their frustration at the UFC. This, like many of the others, are official UFC columns/articles.
by UK_Chris on Jul 3, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Trust me chris, I read the article at UFC.com, it doesnt change the fact Bisping needs to be brought down a peg. That being said, you are defending your countryman and I can appreciate that
by Dave on Jul 3, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im not sure I know what you mean? I watched the official Hendo and Bisping pre fight interviews, and not once was Bisping disrespectful towards Hendo. He did nothing more than point out his weaknesses, and showed confidence. Nothing more than any other fighters usual interviews.
In actual fact, it was Hendo who was doing all the poo slinging! How many times can you call someone a douchebag in a 2 min slot?
As for the many interviews and features, I think you can hardly blame Bisping. Its the fighters job as part of being in the UFC to give interviews. If sites like this as well as the UFC’s own site decide to keep publishing Bispings ahead of Hendos interviews, then maybe that just means Hendo is about as colourful and interesting as an ironing board. This is UFC 100, the UFC would expect nothing less than the world talking about this as well as the other fights.
Everyone should give Bisping a break.
by UK_Chris on Jul 3, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bisping is a douchebag, watch the hammill fight, watch the decision, and then watch bisping go on a tirade about how he dominated hammill. i won 100 bucks from my friend on that fight and could even take it because i knew it was a bullsh!t decision. i think bisping has alot of talent, but he is nowhere close to rich franklin in skill at this moment. the only thing i think may help him in this fight that no one is bringing up is the fact that hendo doesn’t really like cutting to 185 anymore.
by buttcrack obama bin laden on Jul 4, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
everyone is missing the point here, how come is this douchebag getting a title shot with a win?? day and mcarthy, really??
nate or maia should get it first, this sucks. what is dana doing? he’ll give bisping a shot, then belfort, and then what up with the other contenders?
plus, will silva fight so soon after his demolishion of forrest?
by Mascarita on Jul 3, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
add leben to his list of “victories” a dude half of hendo’s skill level and he really did beat bisping stupid judges
by randy murders on Jul 3, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Leben alot more than i do Bisping, but Leben got beat by Mike.
by belfort_fan on Jul 3, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the one where Leben actually put his hands down to the side and let Bisping hit him and kick him in the head full force and he didn’t even blink. granted, I was disgusted with Leben’s performance more than I was impressed with Bisping’s. But I must also admit, as he is a fighter I love to dislike (no longer hate), that my view is still jaded by personal opinion rather than based on strictly fact.
by chefdaddy on Jul 3, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bisping was just a bad matchup for Leben that night.
by belfort_fan on Jul 3, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
anyone with skill is a bad matchup for leben. he doesn’t change up anything, he is the most one dimensional fighter i’ve ever seen.
by buttcrack obama bin laden on Jul 4, 2009 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even more one dimensional than Drew McFrderies?
by belfort_fan on Jul 4, 2009 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And actually Leben is only one dimensional when it comes to striking. Hes not a one dmensional fighter hes a one dimensional striker. Yes all he throws is his HUGE rght hand. But he has blackbely level BJJ.
by belfort_fan on Jul 4, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely right about Nate or Maia being more deserving.
Hence why I think Dana said if Bisping wins, he gets a title shot, in Manchester no less. The reason why Bisping would get the shot over Nate/Maia is simple: ticket sales. Plain and simple.
The UFC can easily market Bisping vs Silva in the UK. It would be effortless. They could probably sell it out by simply putting up a few posters in the U.K.
However, marketing the winner of Nate/Maia vs Silva could prove much more difficult. Nate has already lost to Silva, and thanks to Thales Leites, Maia won’t get the respect he deserves.
I think if Hendo wins, they might give the title shot to the Nate/Maia winner. Although Hendo has voiced his desire for a rematch with Silva…so who knows.
What I DO know is though, is that Bisping getting a title shot is just better for the UFC from a financial stand point, rather than Bisping actually deserving it.
This was also true with Brock Lesnar getting a shot at Randy. There were more deserving guys, but Lesnar would be the biggest ticket. And well, he won. So…
by dredg XI on Jul 3, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Suprise Suprise all the brits are going for Bisping. I would never have guest.
by belfort_fan on Jul 3, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, considering Hendo is my favorite fighter, I’m a little distraught by all these Bisping articles we’re seeing. But at the end of the day, if he wants to think he’s got this fight in the bag, so be it.
The worst thing for a fighter is going in as confident as Bisping is right now, and 2 minutes into the fight, realizing that confidence was false.
I think this is what’s gonna happen to Bisping. He seems to think once Hendo takes him down, that he’s gonna get right back up.
Sorry, but if Rampage can be held down by Hendo, Bisping has no chance.
Dan by UD. Hopefully by (T)KO.
by dredg XI on Jul 3, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
tnere was this clip on youtube
they asked all these american/canadian ufc fighters who was gonna win and all of them but one said hendo so this is just country based
by ian on Jul 3, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He has looked good at 185 but he hasn’t really been tested I would have much rather watch him fight Jorge Rivera than Chain Saw. Henderson by UD.
by Mike on Jul 3, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
EXACTLY, ive never seen a fight hyped so much that featured the always dangerous “Chainsaw” Charles McCarthy, Really???
by Dave on Jul 3, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was 3 fights ago. And his first at MW.
Jason Day at the time was fresh off a thrashing of Alan Belcher. Chris Leben is Chris Leben. Hendo is a very valid next opponent, as well as good business sense.
Funny how no-one was bashing Thales Leites and his title shot isnt it? And his list of nobodies he fought to get there (and the travesty that was the Nate fight). Or how about Cote? And his amazing rise to a title shot.
(well, not until after their fights anyway!)
No different at all from Bispings fight record, except neither Cote or Leites have fought someone Hendos caliber. If Bisping wins, hes a much more deserving chellenger than Cote or Leites was.
People, the Bisping bashing is so illogical its almost embarrassing to read these ignorant comments.
by UK_Chris on Jul 3, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i complained about leites and cote before and after their title fights. i agree that he is deserving if he beats hendo he deserves a shot. i am one of the worst bashers of bisping even though i was a fan at one time, but i do believe he is one of the most talented fighters at mw. i just also believe he needs more time to hone the skills before he meets AS. every time i try to like him again, i think of him runnin’ that mouth after the hammill fight and my stomach churns.
by buttcrack obama bin laden on Jul 4, 2009 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im english and i dont buy into the favouritism bullshit, bisping has potential but in all fairness he hasnt beaten any1 of note yet 2 be considered ready 4 silva he needs at least this victory and another against a top-tier fighter!
by Spidermonkey on Jul 3, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Everyone of these guys that were interviewed are bigger cans than Bisping.
by xxBAxx816 on Jul 3, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The winner of this fight does not deserve a title shot, Marquardt or Maia does. But then again UFC is all about money so if Bisping wins he will most likely get it.
So for the sake of Nate and Demian im cheering for Hendo, but i think Bisping will dance around to a UD.
by Lester The Pimp on Jul 3, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If he can beat Henderson, he deserves a shot. What he didn’t deserve was a free ride up to Henderson. He should have at least fought a top 10 guy.
by Mike on Jul 3, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bisping wins by TKO, via liverpool kiss.
by Hardcase on Jul 3, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I personally think this fight will be extremely close, and it the odds @ +178 Bisping, I think I might do the unthinkable (cause I’m not a big bisping fan) and put some money on him. I think his conditioning and stand up MIGHT get him the decision.
by themattking on Jul 3, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
These guys just want a UK champ someday cause they will never reach the title or even a title shot.
by Dennis on Jul 3, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cant w8 for Hendog to KTFO of bisping! bisping is so overated w8 till he steps in the cage w/a real mofo! Hendog in the 2nd round by rape!
by d*locc on Jul 3, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice belt Bisping is holding, compare it to the 2 belts Hendo is holding… Bispings belt is better! hahaha
by big_evil on Jul 3, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hendo by decision in this one. Hendo beat Franklin…and though I’m no Franklin fan, he’s still tougher than Japanese arithmetic.
by dilly on Jul 3, 2009 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow Dana must be smoking some amazingly good CRACK!!! The Count is Reborn Thrashing JAson Day and putting it on Charles MCCarthy!!!What that is just plain ridiculous!!!!FEdor is reborn to puttin a world of hurt on the Techno Giant and Tim Sylvia!!! I have never seen a fighter look so good against such top notch fighters…What is the Hype train on Bisping? What does Dana see that I don’t? He has accomplished shit in his career. He has a long list of nobody wins! Right after Bisping eats the over hand right, I hope Dana takes off his moon boots and joins the rest of human race with this Pipe Dream… I love how the champ has to go to the challengers home country, and deffend the belt….I can’t wait for him to see Bisping eat it….
by Da Monkey on Jul 3, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Bisping is probably the most overrated fighter in the ufc today. Like a few posters have already said, it’s all about the bucks. The same with Lesnar. I just hope the UFC doesn’t stoop to the same levels of boxing – something Dana has downed since the beginning. He might oughta eat his words if all these no-deservers keep getting easy fights. Bisping hasn’t fought anyone of note aside from Leben. Leben is hit or miss. Put him in there with Henderson and all the Bisping hype will be just that. Bisping is one of the most unlikable fighters in the ufc. Sure, he’s Dana’s poster boy in the U.K. right now, but let him lose a few more fights and he’ll move Bisping down the ladder and find someone else to sell some tickets for the UK based fans. Money money money. Dana, if you’re reading this, you need to stop heading down the same road you claim to despise.
by Bisprick on Jul 8, 2009 11:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
AAAAAAAAAHAHAHQ love it!!!!! Hendo with one vicious punch then follows it up with a “shut your f#*!in mouth” BOMB!!!!!!
by Lee on Jul 12, 2009 1:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BISPING….what standup?…he’s got nothing, he was terrified from opening minute, way out of his depth in this fight and ended up where he should have….OUT COLD!!!
by Ash on Jul 12, 2009 5:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Whats up now, Bisping got what he deserved meaning the late jaw smashing punch that left him asking the trainers “Where am I?” over and over again. I could not stop laughing. I cant wait to see the post fight interviews now it will be even harder to understand his dumb ass.
USA
by USA on Jul 13, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Brisping isnt even in the same league as henderson…. thats why he spent the remainder of the night asking “where the F*** am I?”. Bisping won several questionable bouts which begs the question…. wtf is the UFC trying to do? Bisping is part of the pathetic attempt on the UFC to create a fanbase overseas. The UK vs USA Ultimate Fighter Bulls*** is just an extention of that. Anyone notice how the lineup was stacked against the USA? Totally Pathetic. Also, Im really sick of the UFC trying to promote these mediocre TUF contestants and passing them off as truly talented fighters. Bisping is a F****** joke, and won many of his matches DUE TO BAD SCORING. The Bisping vs Henderson fight the proof I was looking for!
by Benjie on Jul 14, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Brisping isnt even in the same league as henderson…. thats why he spent the remainder of the night asking “where the F*** am I?”. Bisping won several questionable bouts which begs the question…. wtf is the UFC trying to do? Bisping is part of the pathetic attempt on the UFC to create a fanbase overseas. The UK vs USA Ultimate Fighter Bulls*** is just an extention of that. Anyone notice how the lineup was stacked against the USA? Totally Pathetic. Im really sick of the UFC trying to promote these underpaid TUF contestants and passing them off as truly talented fighters. Bisping is a F****** joke, and won many of his matches DUE TO BAD SCORING. The Bisping vs Henderson fight the proof I was looking for!
by Benjie on Jul 14, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on MMA Mania
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
