Is Michael Bisping Championship Material?
by Kid Nate on Oct 15, 2008 9:26 AM EDT
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"Mat" at Setanta Sports asks the question:
The question is: Does Michael have what it takes to beat "The Spider" if he gets past Henderson?
I have to say I think not. Silva is by far the best fighter in The UFC at the moment.
...
I do believe though that if anyone can do it, it is Michael. Why? Because his work rate since he dropped down to 185 is fantastic. He does not stop. This guy could outrun a Duracell bunny!
I think Michael Bisping will have to temporarily settle for becoming the best of the rest. I’m not sure many people will be able to beat Michael but I just can’t see him getting past The Spider. I can’t see anyone getting past The Spider!
The good news for Bisping is…if Silva continues fighting the way he is I can’t see him staying at 185.
...So to address my original question: WILL MICHAEL BISPING EVER BE MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION? The answer? Yes, but not while Anderson Silva holds the title.
I'm tempted to cut the guy some slack since he's working for the British cable company that broadcasts the UFC in the UK.
But let's just say I'm far from convinced Bisping has the skill set and power to get past Chris "Gatekeeper" Leben. Much less Dan Henderson. Much less Nate Marquardt. Much less Demian Maia. Much less Paulo Filho. Much less Rich Franklin.
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Let's see how he handles Leben first
I’m confident that Bisping’s overall performance on Saturday will be much improved – we got a glimpse of that back at UFC 85. I’m looking towards how that improvement will be seen in the fight against Leben.
by VikingPhotography on Oct 15, 2008 9:15 AM EDT reply actions
I'm thinking he can...
…but less because he can beat all of the guys listed. But if he gets past Leben and Silva does retire as he is talking about (in the next year) I think we’ll get more of a popularity contest for the belt than a fight between the top two contenders.
But that’s a lot of speculation on my part.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 15, 2008 9:42 AM EDT reply actions
Meaning none while Silva is hanging around.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
Maybe
Silva is only around for two more fights anyway, and besides – people once thought Matt Hughes was unbeatable. Sometimes shit just happens.
Oh, Matt Hughes IS unbeatable. It’s just that Karma is too powerful and he’s a bigger douche than a great fighter.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
I’m tempted to cut the guy some slack since he’s…
A shill. Which means that we shouldn’t be cutting him slack, we should be ignoring him.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
harsh!
I find that ufc.com frequently has good articles and this one gave me what I needed this morning — something to post about.
Dude, shills are like trolls: just don’t feed them!
(And I’d know, I’m a troll!)
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
I doubt it
Bisping won’t ever be a champion in this division with or without Silvain it. What makes this guy think that Bisping’s work rate is any more intense than any of the other fighters kidnate mentions. Franklin’s work rate is legendary and Bisping’s next opponent (leben) looks like he has been working pretty hard for their fight. Except for the TUF flying knee on Pointon, Bisping is a ground and pound guy and I don’t see Leben getting taken down to easily. It will be a good fight for sure but I see Bisping getting put down for a nap after not being successful taking Leben down or at least keeping him down. Worst case scenario for fans is this fight going to a decision.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
Bisping will beat Leben
I don’t know if he will be champ at 185, but I know that Bisping’s got talent. His opponent, Leben is extraordinarily sloppy. Lets not forget that his only loss was a split decision against Rashad Evans who basically out muscled him at 205.
Bisping will maul Leben. I will be very shocked if he doesn’t TKO Leben by round 2.
This seems like a moot point.
I don’t think we’ll really find out if Bisping can beat Silva. At this point, there are so many other fighters in line ahead of him, Silva will probably retire before they even cross paths. Silva has a few more fights left, and I’m sure there’s still another 205 fight in there somewhere. Personally, I’m much more interested in a Nate/Silva rematch.
No
Bisping will absolutely destroy Leben. When he does, he’ll go on TUF for 6 months against Dan Henderson. That will be the decider. If he beats Dan he’s a serious contender with a chance against Silva.
If...
Silva is still around. As pointed out, after Cote, Silva only has one more fight before he retires. Not sure if they will wait that long, and make it a fight against Bisping. Good chance they might want more of a headliner type match, like Liddel or Penn/GSP (also as mentioned).
Of what, demonstrating how much better Anderson Silva’s striking is? Of showing us a repeat of how that bum-rush style of Chris Leben’s works on Silva?
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
I have an idea…
How about we see Bisping beat anyone even close to the top 10, and THEN we can worry about whether or not he will ever sniff the belt??
http://eliotmarshall.com/
Dude..
..exactly. People seem offended when I talk about the cans Bisping has faced, but Leben is the best competition he’s seen in a very long time. And is that really saying much? I’m rooting for Leben..
yep, I took a little flack for stating my growing dislike for the hype and his attitude, but is what it is. I’m no huge fan of Leben, about the same as Bisping, but I to will be pulling for Chris.
I think Bisping can be a good fighter, but he needs to get knocked down a bit first. There are a lot of guys at 185 that would pick over him.
http://eliotmarshall.com/
Obviously. I didn’t say we shouldn’t talk about him, but is it ever possible to keep things in perspective??
http://eliotmarshall.com/
Please, no apology. I am not offended at all.
As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I can be offended, lol.
I just think it is a little premature in the title talk. Now if he wins Saturday, then beats someone like henderson, Nate or such, then bring it on. I just think this is a little like having the Arizona cardinals go 3-1 in the preseason and then have Super Bowl talk. of course, now that I say it, that is exactly what happens, lol.
http://eliotmarshall.com/
“is it ever possible to keep things in perspective??”
On a blog?! Are you INSANE?!? THIS IS THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
A lot of guys are fighting in three days..
..not all of them are being discussed as title contenders.
Which is what we SHOULD be bitching about.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
Seriously.
I don’t dislike the guy but people are talking about title shots when the only competition he’s faced in the division is McCarthy and Day?
Really?
so what, he destroyed them. Give credit where credit is due. You think Leben can tear through people like that? It takes a special athlete to tear through grown men fighting in the UFC.
Who said I wasn’t giving him credit?
But it’s not like Day or McCarthy were up and comers primed to do things in the weight class. They are on the lower end of the spectrum. If he beats Leben I’ll take him a bit more seriously but I still don’t understand the hype around him.
This is one of my problems with Bisping and his athletic supporters, lol. he hasn’t always looked like a world beater. Sure he has at times, but he has also looked sloppy and out of control, my best example being against Hammil.
If he wins against Leben, then steps up and beats a contender, I will fully support him for a title shot at 185.
http://eliotmarshall.com/
The problem with athletic haters:
They will pull out an older match to help validate their point that an athlete suck, but yet disregard more recent matches that contradict their claim. They prefer the fact that an athlete did not perform well in the past (even if he did win) over more recent performances, thinking the whole time that hated fighter stay static and do not improve. They also prefer to see a few matches that support their views that the fighter is less than a superman while disregarding the fact that in MMA, a 16-1 record with 15 (88%) finishes is damn impressive.
They also disregard the fact that previous TUF winners have been ridiculed as sloppy and undisciplined. They have been criticized for being protected and not deserving of fighting the champ. They criticize them as never amounting to anything until they (a) become champion by beating the champ or (b) knock a previous superstar’s head off.
So it’s okay haters, Bisping will be mercilessly heckled until he prove himself, just like the previous TUF winners. They will never understand that TUF winners win early in their career through sheer force of will and talent, thus look mightily sloppy and weak in their minds. Once the TUF winners’ skill and ability catch up with their talent, the haters are surprised and shock at how good these fighters have become. Then the haters move on to the next TUF winner… the circle of life for MMA fans.
C’mon now, lol. When was that Hammil fight again? 1998? And that was just an example.
My biggest problem isn’t with Bisping himself, though as previously stated, his attitude has somewhat turned me away. It is with the hype. Who has he beaten to deserve this kind of hype? This is Huerta all over again, only English instead of Mexican heritage. They are building him to appeal to a market they are working to open up. Nothing wrong with that, but a dose of reality would be nice. As stated above, win Saturday, beat a top ten and I will support a title shot for him. He has a lot of talent and was clearly the best on TUF, imo.
As for TUF, I have not run it down, at least the fighters that have gone on to prove their worth in the octagon. Why would I, one of my friends is on there this season, so that makes little sense.
As for shocking us, Bisping and any other UFC 185er has only a slightly better chance of beating Silva, than you or I do, lol.
http://eliotmarshall.com/
Indeed
More thoughts on the perceptions of Bisping..
I’ve made it well known that I don’t let fighters personas and antics really effect how I see them as fighters. But a dude that picks on a deaf guy is pretty borderline, considering I have a disabled brother and that sort of thing can be very off-putting. But regardless of all that, Bisping is just purely overrated. He’s marketable, yeah. He’s the flag-bearer for the UFC in England, yeah. He’s charasmatic and he’s often fun to watch in his fights, yes and yes. But I’m honestly scared for him against Leben this Saturday, because I’m not sure he’s been that much better (and particularly with Leben looking so primed all the sudden). Look, people point back at his fights with Rashad and Hamill like it happened this year. He fought half the Rashad of today, and Rashad beat him. And anyone who doesn’t think Hamill won their fight, you’re a mark for Bisping.
But the thing that killed it for me was following his Jason Day bout with Chainsaw Charles. That man has no business in the UFC, much less fighting a guy that’s being pumped up like Bisping. It’s the closest thing to Kimbo in the UFC, but on a different scale (because Bisping is at least more talented than Kimbo, of course). McCarthy retired after their fight. Dude, retired? He saved face. If Lutter can’t even get a fight in Poughkeepsie, what’s CHARLIE MCCARTHY doing fighting a supposed title contender for the belt at 185? Come on guys..
I don’t hate Bisping, by any means. I could even come to like the guy if he actually did something substantial. It’s the way he’s lauded that makes me root against him, partly. Saturday could be a baby step, if it’s followed by a legit, UFC top ten, 185 fight. Versus Marquardt for US vs England? Sad reality of that is that Marquardt would absolutely destroy him.
Yeah.. It’s gonna take a lot to change my mind.
by Blackout612 on Oct 16, 2008 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
“Special” all right.
Wait, that would be Leben. I’m confused.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
SO?
Bisping is a good overall fighter, in much of the same vein as Silva, except his striking isn’t nearly as good, and he is a better gnp’er than standing striker. Do you honestly think Bisping couldn’t beat Belcher, Kampman, Leites, Palhares, Cote (all guys who I’ve seen get a lot of love at middle-weight across various boards/sights at one time or another)? Sure, he wouldn’t be the favorite against Silva, Marquardt, Franklin, or Henderson, but with his particular dynamics as a fighter, I can see him being near the top of the division for a long time.
You didn't exactly name the cream of the crop, pal
Save for Palhares (who would rip Bisping’s arm clean off, by the way). Dude, Belcher? Kampman’s moving classes, too.. Come on, you can do better than that.
And what does anything you said have to do with him winning the title? But while you’re at it, the whole staying near the top thing? I take issue with that. You have to fight guys at the top to hang out there. That’s how the club works.
PS; Maia, Almeida= two more and I’ve not taken the time to really think about it..
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