Saturday, in many peoples eyes was an event full of problems, numerous withdrawals, the loss of the main event twice and the loss of the UFC’s most marketable fighter in Chuck Liddell, made the event into more of a jumble sale than a fight card.
However, it was to be a homegrown British guy who was to send pulses raising in the 02 arena in London. His first round stoppage of Jason Day was more than just a win, it was a sign of intent. From the very start of the fight, Bisping looked like a fighter with something to proove. Sure it is only his second fight as a middleweight but in those two fights theres been enough shown to make people stand up and realize Bisping is more than just a doorstop. Hes a contender.
With Anderson Silva going to be tied up in a fight with Yushin Okami, Bisping needs to beat a name that is held in esteem in the Middleweight division. Franklin or Henderson would be a challenge, but those two are likely to meet so who does that leave? A win for Evan Tanner against Kendall Grove could set up an interesting brawl between ‘The Count’ and the former Middleweight champion. However Tanner looked far from impressive against Okami and therefore its questionable whether he will even beat Kendall Grove.
Theres then a number of names in the division who hold a name, Nate Marquardt, Jeremy Horn, and Nate Quarry would all provide stern tests. Bisping showed that training with Jackson has improved his wrestling immensely especially since wrestling is the one area in England where there is a lack of interest or experts in the field. He looks light on his feet and his hands have more snap than they did in controversial bouts against Light Heavyweights Matt Hamill and Rashad Evans.
One thing is certain, Bisping will not be a walk over and maybe just maybe he is the man to give Silva a run for his money. If not then god help the Middlewight Division as it would soon become too predictable.
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June 9th, 2008 at 1:57pm
Serious contender, ok sure, but let’s not hail Bisping top 5 of the division.
Hey, I don’t by the line where A-Silva cleaned out the division.
There are many other fighters in the division. There’s no question that Bisping is sharp. He proved to be a great TUF standout and would give any MW fighter a good run for their money, that includes the top 3 of the division. However, I believe that the names like Almeida, Kampmann, Cote, MacDonald, and Leben are equally forces to reckon with, until proven other wise.
OK, I don’t want to see Silva-Leben II, but Leben deserves a shot against Hendo and Franklin.
“. . . and therefore its questionable whether he will even beat Kendall Grove.” Whoa, you’re talking about Grove.
Tanner is coming off a 2-year layoff and dealing with alcoholism.
Grove is coming off 2 defeats, both by TKO. His last defeat was to a very inconsistent (albeit tough) fighter in Jorge Rivera.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:10pm
Um… I’m going with Vee on this one. I don’t think that Bisping’s a contender.
I’m figuring that Okami’s ahead of him, Henderson would get a rematch before him. Then you have Kampmann and Cote.
That said, I think that there are a few other guys in this division who would beat Bisping. (my short list includes all of the names above plus Franklin, Palhares, Lister, Leites and Marquardt)
I hardly think we should be calling him a top contender right now.
June 9th, 2008 at 6:45pm
I am with ya on this one Josh.
In a way it seems like they are trying to pump up the Silva fight, but I would rather see a Rich Franklin vs Bisping fight before Silva vs. Bisping.
June 11th, 2008 at 5:02am
I agree he isn’t rady for the push just yet but hes at a point where beating cans isn’t going to improve him. Leben would be an interesting fight as would Leites but i think Dean Lister is over rated, his ground game is excellent no question about that but he hasn’t been finishing people. I still think Bisping v Tanner would be the most interesting prospect before he tackles one of the top 5