Written by: Adam Conklin | Published in: Fighters
Last Saturday, Michael Bisping fought Chael Sonnen on 11 days notice after Mark Munoz was stricken with injury. Bisping had previously been training to fight Demian Maia the same card but was promoted after the injury. Most believed that Bisping would get dominated by Chael Sonnen who has proven himself to be a wrestling powerhouse capable or taking anyone in the division down and holding them there whilst raining down shots.
A hard fought battle saw both men eat shots as Bisping had the superior standup and Chael used his looping overhand shots to set up takedowns. Once Chael went for a takedown, he encountered something he wasn't used to. Resistance. Bisping did a great job staving off Sonnen's takedowns for most of the fight and was never made to look inept on the ground. For Sonnen, he worked this great tactic to posture up to a standing position if Bisping tried to wall-walk, thus discouraging Bisping from trying all together.
In the end it came down to points and although some believe Bisping was robbed, the unanimous decision went to Chael. The fight really could've gone either way and Bisping had even said that Chael agreed. But this loss could have been the best thing for Bisping. Bisping showed everyone that he could hang with the number two middleweight in the world and lose by a questionable decision.
Had Bisping fought his original opponent in Maia, he would have made Maia look like an amateur but wouldn't have had the same boost up the rankings. Maia lost a decision to a late replacement in Chris Weidman in a slow fight.
Michael Bisping (22-4) has nothing to be ashamed of and made a definitive statement against Sonnen. He will only get better as he has after every loss, three of which coming by controversial decisions. As for his next opponent, Bisping is ready to fight anyone and a match with Mark Munoz would be ideal.
Both fighters are at the top of the division and with Bisping's wrestling defense, he would have an easier time keeping the fight on the fight and using his fantastic technique and world class endurance to try and outwork Munoz. If this fight was to materialize, it should be a title eliminator with the winner facing the winner of Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva who are unofficially slated to fight in the summer at an event in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Bisping has always been an underdog.
Even though 14 of his wins are by TKO and 4 by submission. Bisping uses his technique to wear his opponents down before unloading a flurry on them to stop the fight. If he can employ this tactic on Munoz and stop the powerful middleweight, a title shot would be the next logical step in his career.
This is no easy task, however, as Munoz has dynamite in both hands. Bisping would have to use his superior footwork to out move Munoz and create space so he can throw his quick snapping combos and demoralize Munoz.
This is all a hypothetical scenario as both men are currently sidelined, Munoz from injury, and Bisping from his mandatory medical suspension that should keep him from training for no more than 30 days.
If this fight were to happen it would be a great fight between great fighters. A win for either man should grant him a title shot and in Bisping's case, a huge boost of respect from fans, UFC brass, and every other fighter in the middleweight division.
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February 01, 2012
