Michael Bisping Slams Anderson Silva, UFC 97 Main Event

by Michael Rome on Apr 22, 2009 3:15 PM EDT in MMA News

A number of fighters are now stating their disapproval regarding the UFC 97 main event. The latest among them is Michael Bisping, who is one win away from a title shot against Anderson Silva:

I wasn’t impressed at all with the main event. You never want to disrespect fellow fighters, much less two contesting a UFC world title, but I think both guys should hang their heads in shame, quite honestly. Leites probably won the first two rounds but nothing happened in the fight.

I fought on the first card in Montreal last April, and the Canadians are tremendous supporters of the UFC. They deserved a hell of a lot better than they got from these two. I've seen more aggression from my fiancé when she hits the January sales.

It was very frustrating for me to be sitting on my couch seeing Anderson Silva, who keeps saying how he’s gone through the middleweight division. I would have fought harder than both of them put together, and so would a lot of other middleweights.

If Bisping can get past Henderson, he'll have a chance to put his money where his mouth is in the fall. Bisping wasn't exactly aggressive either in his last fight, so perhaps he doesn't have much room to talk.

I will say that the one impressive thing being overlooked about the UFC 97 main event was the way Anderson Silva shut Leites down on the ground. Leites got the fight where he wanted and couldn't do anything with it. I believe that once he realized that Anderson was tougher on the ground than he expected, he checked out of the fight mentally. This is just another point worth bringing up once someone brings up Takase or Lutter. Anderson totally shut down a world class grappler who had top position.

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Bisping:

Tells no lies.

That, however, doesn’t mean he’s going to be able to beat Silva if he gets in there with him.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Apr 22, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

I love disagreeing with Michael Bisping

Makes me feel better about my current stance.

by Derek Suboticki on Apr 22, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I can't stand Bisping.

I personally thought that Matt Hammell (imperfect spelling) beat him in their fight. It was a good fight but afterward he gloated and trashed him for being a wrestler. I really hope Hendo stops the Bisping train dead in its’ tracks.

WAR-HENDO!

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Apr 22, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

"I believe that once he realized that Anderson was tougher on the ground than he expected"

This is my favorite part. I had to listen to countless people downgrade Silva saying he had no ground game or could not compete with Leites there & that was obviously not the case.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

People buy into the hype too much.

Anderson is a black belt, and brought in very high level JJ training partners. By not really looking for anything and just playing defense, he was easily able to keep up. If he fought Maia he’d use the same ground strategy-pure defense, go for nothing.

by Michael Rome on Apr 22, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I know, but that is what I meant.

Silva is a black belt as well & people underestimate that because he does not show many subs, mainly because he has no need for them. That is why I could not give Maia a real chance either other than getting lucky.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

By all accounts, Maia is on a different level when it comes to the ground game. I don’t think he’d blitz Silva like he did Quarry or Sonnen, but I think he’d be a lot harder to deal with than Leites was.

by McEwen on Apr 22, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly how many top levels are there?

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Maia
-
-
-
-
Top level guys
Other guys

Or, at least that’s what the hype machine says.

by McEwen on Apr 22, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I am not under the impression that Maia is that far above guys like Galvao and other JJ legends. He’s supposedly a bit better, but this is the kind of hype machine that gets going on the internet that may get out of hand. Just recall Jason Macdonald did get out of a triangle of his.

Maia is amazing, but let’s not go crazy with it.

by Michael Rome on Apr 22, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

When it comes to MMA, I think Maia’s abilities translate better than some of the other BJJ greats. When you look at some of the submissions that he’s been able to pull off against some fairly good opponents, I’m not sure that a lot of the hype isn’t earned.

And yes, MacDonald slipped a triangle, but he is another guy whose skills translate well to MMA even though he’s not about go win a world title.

by McEwen on Apr 22, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Maia's skills would not translate well against a deadly striker

who is also a black belt in BJJ. I understand your point & I love Maia, but he is not going to offer much more of a threat to Silva than Leites did.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s why that fight is so interesting to me. It’s not hard for me to imagine Silva clocking Maia and finishing it, or having a repeat of last Saturday, but at the same time, It’s not that hard to picture Maia scoring a takedown or two and being a lot more aggressive on top than Leites was (or maybe I should say be able to get through Silva’s defense a bit more).

by McEwen on Apr 22, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess, but I just see

the same fight we just watched.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

And there is no way the UFC puts

Maia next after what just happend with Leites.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I do not understand people keep overlooking the fact that while

Maia is great on the ground, we now see that Silva is more than capable there & on the feet it is no contest. That is why this is MMA.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Hype machine is right.

I am not doubting Maia’s skills, but this is carried too far. Leites was supposed to be on Maia’s level or at least comparable & look what happened.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Maia is just on another level from everyone else in MMA as far as aggressive, creative BJJ.
Jason McDonald is the only guy to hang with him at all and he is phenomenal on the ground.
Also Maia doesn’t tend to rely on wrestling to get the fight to the ground.
All those things said, Silva takes the fight easily.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Apr 22, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

This "on another level" crap

just does not do it for me. Silva is also a blackbelt & was facing another “on another level guy” in Leites & it was never close. It does not matter, because there is no way the UFC puts another straight BJJ guy against Silva for a while.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Maia is on another level from Leites. However I agree they won’t put this fight on. Its not really a compelling fight in my mind anyway. I would much rather see Maia face Marquart or the loser of bisbing/hendo.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Apr 22, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Maia may well be on another level from Leites,

but in MMA it takes more than that against a guy like Silva.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I really don’t think Maia is “on another level” than Leites. He couldn’t sub him when they fought BJJ. Maia won but had a really tough fight.

by MMAussie on Apr 22, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Doesn't anyone think that the right fight

is Maia versus Leites? If Maia destroys Leites easily then there’s ample argument for a title shot. If Leites wins then we can put the Demian Maia bandwagon to rest.

by rainmaker6 on Apr 22, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t really think anyone is that keen on seeing Leites fight so soon after the “Main Event” that he and Silva made look like would have been better suited as a fight on a preliminary card of a fight night. But in the long run yes i would like to see that fight. It would be good because it might give us a better understanding of what other tools Maia has at his disposal.

by MMAussie on Apr 23, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I do not think it matters

because Leites’ performance is going to make the UFC really hesitate in bringing another “BJJ only” guy to face Sivla for a while.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 23, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I think this is a good point.

I think Maia has found himself in the old Machida position all of the sudden.

He needs to make a case for being more appealing to the fans before he is likely to get a title shot.

by Razreshat on Apr 23, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm... ya don't say...

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 22, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

free speech in the UFC! Finally!

Beyond the technical details of this article, I am impressed by the fact that Bisping, who is a consummate UFC poster-boy, went out on a limb to be critical of a UFC event. In times past Dana & Co have worked very hard at cencorship of the fighters but it seems as the sport grows bigger and more mainstream, those gag-orders will be more difficult to issue and even harder to enforce. Honest criticism and open opninion-sharing on the part of the UFC and the fighters themselves will only lead to a better product in the cage.

by Fooshnickens on Apr 22, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I was surprised about that too, was kind of shocked to see that on the UFC site.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 22, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Free speech?

No he criticized Anderson and Thales, just like Dana, not the UFC in the least. Just jumping the gun getting some hype started on a fight he will never get…

by TRob on Apr 22, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

"Bisping wasn't exactly aggressive either in his last fight, so perhaps he doesn't have much room to talk."

He seems to do that a lot. He said that about his loss to Rashad, it was something in the lines of “though very controversial loss”. Speaking of which! they just showed the Bisping/ Hamill fight and it’s disturbing to watch. Don’t care what lots of people have to say in Bisping’s defense, the dude lost that fight.

by poundnground on Apr 22, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

I am a Bisping fan

but I won’t argue about the Matt Hamill or Rashad Evans fights.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 22, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

What about the Leben fight? That fight was bad, and I hat that Bisping said his plan was to stay outside and win on points.

by McEwen on Apr 22, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Do what you gotta do to win, I guess. I don’t remember him saying that but at least he was honest if he did. Leben has serious knock out power so you don’t want to be careless and play to his strength. I don’t fault Anderson Silva for how he handled the Leites fight… its the next evolution of the sport. Its their job to win and they do what they have to do to win, even if that means going for the win on points. You may not like it, but it was bound to start happening sooner or later.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 22, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Box a brawler and brawl a boxer. He did the right thing vs. Leben.

by mythbuster on Apr 22, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I maintain that he won the fight...

and so does fightmetric! (well…at least in terms of 10 point must system scoring…)

Bisping won round 2 on counter punching and Hamill was not nearly as effective as he was in round 1.

Bisping took round 3 by landing the better punches and even was the one landing more punches while on his back for a brief time.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 22, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I dont know dude

He was taking him down pretty much at will, landed the harder punches (and aside of what fightmetric says) I thought he even landed more punches. Agree to disagree, amigo.

by poundnground on Apr 22, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

^this

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Apr 22, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Bisping is such a hypocrite

Especially with the way he handled his fight with Leben.

Those of you who wonder why some of us dislike Bisping, jot this little comment of his down in your notebooks.

by Razreshat on Apr 22, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Probably not necessary

We’ll always have Bisping haters around to point it out so no need to jot it down.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 22, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Bisping beat the shit out of Leben, who actually posed a legitimate threat standing.

by George Lucas on Apr 22, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah...

the closer comparison is the Cote fight. Anderson was hesitant to engage because he worried about Cote’s power being his only chance to win. I’d say Bisping vs. Leben was pretty much the exact same situation (leben-cote is pretty much a push in my book) and Bisping looked better in his version of the fight than Anderson in my eyes.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 23, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

But by employing that strategy, Bisping doesn't have any ground to criticize Anderson.

Especially because a good case can be made for Cote being a much more dangerous challenger than Leben would be.

by Razreshat on Apr 23, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd say Bisping's in an out movement and boxing...

was much more impressive than Anderson’s dancing and pretend kung-fu against Cote. Which isn’t to say he’s the better fighter by any means. Just in comparing the handling of two similar fights.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 23, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Be careful what you wish for

I don’t recall this getting a lot of press, but I remember an interview in the lead-up to Silva/Henderson that Silva felt disrespected by Hendo and was pissed, etc., saying something along the lines of ’I’m going to hurt him’. I do know Silva never offered to touch gloves at the beginning of the fight, which seems uncharacteristic.

To my knowledge, all Hendo did was try to hype the fight saying ’I’m going to kick his ass’ (or knock him out…something to that effect). I don’t know if Silva took it personally or it wasn’t translated well or what, but l wouldn’t want to be standing across the Octagon from a lax Anderson Silva, let alone a pissed off, highly motivated Anderson Silva.

I realize Bisping is trying to create a little hype and talking his usual amount of smack, but stirring up that hornets’ nest is a really bad idea.

by Dabashire on Apr 22, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

There is probably a lot of truth to Silva being pissed at Hendo

In my experiences, some of my foreign friends when we first met became irate when I jokingly called them a bitch or talked shit like that. I am sure that Bisping knows he is down the line a little, unless he gets past Hendo. If I were Bisping, I would much rather face a cordial, respectful Silva than a pissed off one.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 22, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i hope hendo beats him i rather see hendo silva 2 then bisping silva.

by Baki_hanma on Apr 22, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

I’m torn. I want Bisping to be humbled in the worst of ways ~~- Iron Sheik style -~~, but I really don’t want to hear him run his mouth after his first quality victory over someone like Hendo.

Eh, I guess I would be happiest if he just faded into the background as some sort of gatekeeper. The more I think about it, Silva-Hendo 2 could be a pretty good fight. Besides, there aren’t many rematches these days (unless a title is involved), so that would be cool.

by a tommy point on Apr 22, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Dana White should be emailing this quote to Silva every day

If Bisping gets the next shot. Honestly, why would you poke at a sleeping spider?

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Apr 22, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions

Anderson totally shut down a world class grappler who had top position.

Not terribly impressive: Kampmann did the same thing when Leites got him down.

by George Lucas on Apr 22, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

Not terribly impressive?

I guess that I kind of see what you are saying,but how many people did we have saying that Leites would sub Silva easily? I have contended for a long time that Silva is also a blackbelt in BJJ & this really puts it out there now that he is not going to be taken down & finished by a BJJ guy very easily.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 23, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Bisping doesnt get enough credit… he took Rashad to a split decision and could have won that fight. Rashad is the champ of a very stacked division.

As far as leites being a world class grappler… fine.

But who the fuck has he submitted in MMA? Kampmann survived with him on the ground, Marquart, etc…

Maia is a different story… he has proven to be world class in MMA grappling.

The thing is there is a better chance of Silva defending Maia’s grappling technique then Maia defending Silva’s striking.

by mmalogic on Apr 23, 2009 2:22 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Not only...

did Kampmann and Marquardt survive on the ground…they beat the shit out of him.

The thing is there is a better chance of Silva defending Maia’s grappling technique then Maia defending Silva’s striking.

ANd that is something I fully agree with

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 23, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I kind of found Bisping comments interesting, considering....

he went for the unanimous descision against Leben. I mean, he said his goal was to stick and move and win the unanimous decision. Someone should bring that up when he wants to talk shit about other fighters not trying to please the crowd.

by The Bronzeville Bully on Apr 23, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

Am I forgetting or is the only fight Bisping actually finished

the Mccarthy one?

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 23, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Dude blitzed and demolished McCarthy...

ran through the guy who was (at that moment) the new internet hotness in Jason Day. TKO’ed Sinosic, Schafer, and Haynes. SO he has gone to decision with Leben (only guy to KO him being Anderson), Rashad Evans (the #1 guy in a weight class higher than Bisping’s ideal…and it was a split), and Matt Hamill (again at LHW)

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 23, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I was not really knocking Bisping,

but I did not remember any other fights of his other than Hamill, Evans, Leben & Mccarthy. And of course I remember how bad he made Chainsaw look, although no one other than Chainsaw expected any different. I guess that my point is that Silva has only went to decision once in the UFC and Bisping has done it three times.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Apr 23, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions