UFC 152's Michael Bisping is a badass because he takes fights on short notice

Unless you've been living under a very large rock, you're aware of the fact that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones declined a fight versus Chael Sonnen at UFC 151 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept. 1, 2012, when "The People's Champ" offered to stand in for his injured friend Dan Henderson

The event was ultimately cancelled. Critics cried foul. "Bones" lost all those fans that his coach Greg Jackson told him to "go get" after he beat Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Dec. 10, 2011.

In the wake of it all, a plethora of so-called experts have popped up, ready and willing to play "Monday Morning Quarterback" to Jones and his decision to pull out.

Out of all the opinions being given, none were perhaps as appropriate as the opinion of UFC Middleweight Michael Bisping, due to the fact that "The Count" was in a similar position as Jones earlier this year.

But, Bisping is quick to remind everyone that when it was his turn to choose -- he chose to fight:

Bisping spoke to AXS TV's "Inside MMA," where he started things off by getting everyone up to speed on his injured knee and how he's recovering:

"The knee is fine. It's still a little sore, every now and then, but it's not generally giving me any problems. Camp is going great. Everything's fantastic. Weight's good. I'm in great shape. I'm ready to do some damage on September 22nd."

Bisping will be fighting the always dangerous Brian Stann at the and improved UFC 152 in Toronto, Ontario on Sept. 22, 2012.

He's very aware of "The All-American's" knockout power potential, but he feels he has him outgunned, overall:

"Everyone knows he's a big, powerful, striker, and that's what I've got to look out for. I think, technically, I've got him beat. I'm better on the feet. I'm better on the ground. But, obviously, that one-punch knockout power is the thing I've got to look out for. I'm training with tough guys. I'm getting beat up on a daily basis, and I'm preparing. I'm doing everything I can. I'll be ready."

Speaking of being ready, in January of this year (2012), Bisping was asked to be ready to fight Chael Sonnen on just eight day's notice, when Sonnen's original opponent, Mark Munoz, was forced out of the UFC on FOX 2 card.

That's why he has a hard time understanding why "Bones," who has been practically the face of the organization for the past year, would not be able to "man up" and do the same thing:

"Listen. When you're the champion, when you're the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion of the world, you gotta take fights. It's hard for me to judge Jon Jones. He's a hell of a fighter, and he'll go down in history as the youngest champion ever. He's incredible, but, I've got to say, I was a little disappointed when he didn't take the fight. He was offered a fight against Chael Sonnen on eight days notice. I, personally, was offered a fight against Chael Sonnen on eight days notice. I chose to take that fight. I don't know what that means. I don't know what those facts say. Maybe it means I'm a badass. I took the fight. I'm just confused as to why Jon Jones didn't. I think it's a fight Jones would have won. Obviously, he would have been in better shape than Chael. He's been preparing for that night, so it's a little confusing."

What do you think, Maniacs? Is Bisping right to criticize the champ? Or were their two respective situations totally different?

Weigh in.