UFC President Dana White plans to set up a rematch between Michael Bisping and Matt Hamill as soon as possible, according to Yahoo!Sports.com.
Here's a snip from White:
"... [the rematch is] a no-brainer and I'm going to be on it right away."
This past weekend, the light heavyweights were the focus of a controversial split-decision at UFC 75: "Champion vs. Champion," which went in favor of Bisping — a British fighter who was a local crowd favorite at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Most spectators believe that Hamill did more than enough to earn the decision. However, two of the three judges didn't see it that way. In fact, FightNetwork.com tracked down one of the judges, Cecil Peoples, for comment on his decision.
Here's a snip from Peoples:
"I gave Bisping the second round, first because Hamill was beginning to run out of gas after the first round. Bisping fought like he wanted that fight. He came back aggressive [from the first round]. Hamill did take him down, but he did nothing with the takedown. Overall, Bisping was more aggressive. Hamill just held him down. Bisping's punching was more effective."
For more on the judging and the criteria that the judges use to determine fight outcomes head over to FightNetwork.com.
Bisping and Hamill were contestants on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) and it was clear that they did not get along. The two were on a collision course to settle their feud in the semifinals; however, Hamill was scratched from the 16-man tournament because of an injury.
The 205-pound match up at UFC 75 was billed as the bout that would put to rest claims from Hamill that he would have been the TUF 3 winner had he not been forced to withdraw. Unfortunately, the UFC 75 result only did more to fan the flames that Hamill might have been right all along.
In fairness, perhaps a rematch in Columbus or Cincinnati Ohio (in Hamill's backyard) would be appropriate. Then again, it might not make much difference, considering the lone British judge scored the bout in favor of Hamill.
Putting a wrench into this plan is the prospect that Bisping is considering a move down to the middleweight division. FOXSports.com is reporting that "The Count," in fact, is likely to go down to middleweight after this fight.
It's unclear if that report is echoing previous statements or it was determined after UFC 75. However, one would imagine that Bisping (and Dana White) would delay the switch until the score is settled between him and Hamill.
UFC 75 was a sellout, generating more than $2.7 million with 16,235 people in attendance — the biggest gate in London in 12 years.
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