Author: Patrick Drottar

Randy Couture: Bisping Probably Deserves a UFC Title Shot

UFC middleweight Michael Bisping believes that he was deserving of a title shot after his one-sided dominant win over fellow Ultimate Fighter coach Jason “Mayhem” Miller back on December 3rd. However, UFC President Dana White felt that the Brit was sti…

UFC middleweight Michael Bisping believes that he was deserving of a title shot after his one-sided dominant win over fellow Ultimate Fighter coach Jason “Mayhem” Miller back on December 3rd.

However, UFC President Dana White felt that the Brit was still one win away from a shot at Anderson Silva and booked a fight between Bisping and former No. 1 contender Demian Maia for the UFC on Fox 2 card in late January.

If Bisping is victorious, he will then be set to take on the winner of Anderson Silva and the winner of the fight between Chael Sonnen and Mark Munoz, which is also set for the UFC on Fox 2 card.

Now that the 32-year-old will have to patiently wait for his turn in line, there is one UFC legend that agrees with the Brit that he is already deserving of a title shot, Randy Couture.

Couture is currently overseas in the United Kingdom promoting his new book “The Last Round” and ESPN.com caught up with him to ask about Bisping,

“I think he probably does. He’s right up there in the top four or five guys in that weight class,” Couture said

“You can split hairs on deciding who the No. 1 contender is. He’s coming off a great outing against Jason Miller, weathered a storm and had the conditioning and great technique to finish the fight well.

“He’s one of the top guys so why not?”

Couture has been around for Bisping’s entire career so far since winning the Ultimate Fighter season three as a light heavyweight back in 2006.

Bisping is currently on a four-fight winning streak and is one of the few top middleweights that has yet to face Silva.

Many believe that the Brit lacks the punching power to match up with Silva on the feet, but Bisping makes up for it with his quick accurate strikes.

If Bisping can get past Maia and earn his first career title shot, he’ll finally be able to prove it inside the octagon.

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UFC 140: Tito Ortiz Reveals He Is Two Fights Away from Retirement

Back in July, before UFC 132, the “People’s Champ,” Tito Ortiz, was going into what could have been the final fight of his career against heavy-handed Ryan Bader. Ortiz had gone 0-4-1 in his last five fights and had not won a fight since he d…

Back in July, before UFC 132, the “People’s Champ,” Tito Ortiz, was going into what could have been the final fight of his career against heavy-handed Ryan Bader.

Ortiz had gone 0-4-1 in his last five fights and had not won a fight since he defeated Ken Shamrock back in 2006.

It was clear that Ortiz was past his prime, and it looked as if he would be forced to retire if he could not defeat Bader.

The former light heavyweight champion shocked the world with an upset victory over Bader that brought his career back from the dead.

It wouldn’t be long before Ortiz fought again, as he stepped in for an injured Phil Davis to face Rashad Evans.

Although Ortiz would go on to lose that fight, he looked good against Evans and almost pulled off another upset.

Ortiz has shown not only UFC president Dana White, but also the rest of the world that he will keep fighting with his back against the wall and will go out on his own terms.

Going into this weekend’s fight against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Ortiz has revealed to ESPN.com that he will fight two more times in the UFC, before he hangs up his gloves for good.

“Maybe it’s time. I don’t know,” Ortiz said. “I guess when I leave on my own terms—and I look at it as, when I don’t have fun coming in the gym anymore, sparring and pushing myself and running every day, maybe it is time. I’m not overstaying my welcome.

“My goal in my whole career was to do 15 years in MMA. May 30 will be my 15th year of fighting in the UFC and in MMA, in general. This’ll be fight No. 26 for me, I think. So I’ll have 27 and walk away. I think I’ve done good.”

Ortiz went on to say that he may continue his career if he can stay healthy, as well as agree with the UFC on the proper finances.

The 36-year-old has had several surgeries over his long career and stated that he did not want to jeopardize his future with his children to continue fighting.

“Is it worth it not being able to run with my kids or wrestle with my kids or throw a football with my kids when they get older? A million dollars ain’t worth it.”

Regardless of how many fights he has left in him, there is a guaranteed spot in the UFC Hall of Fame for Tito Ortiz.

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Michael Bisping to Reveal Next Fight Soon, Could Be Featured on UFC on FOX 2

Last night, we saw Ultimate Fighter coach Michael Bisping dominate Jason “Mayhem” Miller. After the two put together one of the most exciting Ultimate Fighter seasons in recent history, Bisping made quick work of Miller and proved to the UFC and the re…

Last night, we saw Ultimate Fighter coach Michael Bisping dominate Jason “Mayhem” Miller.

After the two put together one of the most exciting Ultimate Fighter seasons in recent history, Bisping made quick work of Miller and proved to the UFC and the rest of the world that he is a top contender in the middleweight division.

With the win, Bisping seems to be one fight away from finally getting a shot at champion Anderson Silva, and many believed that he and former No. 1 contender Chael Sonnen would fight to see who gets the champ next.

However, quickly after the fight, it was reported that Sonnen’s next opponent would be fellow contender Mark Munoz on the UFC’s second event on Fox.

It is unknown who Bisping’s next opponent will be, but according to reports by ESPN.com, we could be finding out quite soon,

“Me and Dana [White] have had a talk already, I need to have a think and a talk with my family, but there should be an announcement real soon,” said Bisping.

It could be a quick turn around for the Brit as UFC’s second card on Fox is rumored as his next featured card.

A rematch with Wanderlei Silva has been ruled out by Bisping, but one possible opponent could be former No. 1 contender Demian Maia.

 

Maia could be one of the only options, as other top contenders Yushin Okami and Vitor Belfort have already been booked for an upcoming fight.

With Sonnen-Munoz, as well as Rashad Evans and Phil Davis already on the card, a fight between Bisping and Maia could be the third of the four fights to be featured on the main card.

Maia has improved his striking since his embarrassing title loss to Anderson Silva and could challenge Bisping on the feet.

His jiu-jitsu, however, is top-notch and if the fight were to go to the ground, it could get interesting.

Regardless of who Bisping’s next opponent will be, a win will undoubtedly earn him his first career title shot.

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TUF 14 Finale: Mayhem Claims Bisping Camp Revealing Gameplan for Upcoming Fight

2011 seems to be the Year of the Spy in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.In September, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson claimed that there was a spy from champion Jon Jones’ camp that was looking for tips for their upcoming fight. Jackson looked to reveal t…

2011 seems to be the Year of the Spy in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In September, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson claimed that there was a spy from champion Jon Jones’ camp that was looking for tips for their upcoming fight. Jackson looked to reveal the spy by faking a hand injury, one that had the UFC calling him quickly after the claim was made.

Jason “Mayhem” Miller is currently training for his upcoming fight against Michael Bisping at the Ultimate Fighter finale and he has revealed, according to ESPN.com, that he should have a pretty good idea of the Brit’s game plan heading into Saturday night’s fight.

“In ironic twist news…I’m not even asking about Michael’s training, but for some reason all the friends that I’ve had for years that are working with him seem to be inclined to tell me about his camp and what he’s doing,” Miller said. “I don’t want or need this info. I’m going to beat him regardless, just found it interesting. Pretty karmic.”

There could be some members of Bisping’s camp that are having trouble picking sides, or this could be an attempt by Bisping to lead Miller astray. Regardless, it seems that Mayhem isn’t biting.

Miller, as well as Bisping, have helped put together one of the most entertaining TUF seasons to date. The season has been fulled with entertaining fights, plenty of trash talk, as well as some very memorable pranks.

The rivalry will come to an end Saturday night when Miller makes his much-anticipated return to the Octagon.

The winner of this fight could find themselves in a very comfortable position behind Chael Sonnen as the next challenger to middleweight champion Anderson Silva‘s throne.

Miller is looking to make a name for himself in the UFC, while Bisping is looking for his first title shot in his career.

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Breaking News: Rampage Reveals He’s off Japan Card, Claims UFC Made Big Mistake

In what will be known as one of the best fight cards of 2011, fight fans witnessed light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar pick up his third straight victory with a win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139.
After the event, Bonnar already called out his next oppone…

In what will be known as one of the best fight cards of 2011, fight fans witnessed light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar pick up his third straight victory with a win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 139.

After the event, Bonnar already called out his next opponent saying that it had always been a dream of his to fight Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

The former light heavyweight champion must have been listening because he quickly texted UFC President Dana White saying that he wanted the fight as well.

Jackson was already set to compete at UFC 144, the organization’s first card in Japan since December of 2000, but was without an opponent, making the Bonnar request more likely to come true.

Yesterday, it was reported by ESPN.com that a fight between the two was in the works for the Japan card. Fans would get the chance to witness the “American Psycho’s” iron chin and jiu jitsu skills against the powerful striking of Jackson.

However, as quickly as the match came about, the plan has already fallen apart as Jackson revealed on Tuesday via Twitter that he had been removed from the card,

“It don’t look like I’m fighting in Japan which I’m not happy about at all, I think it’s a big mistake by the UFC… F*** it.”

Jackson was a fan favorite while he fought for Pride from 2001 to 2006 and would most likely help sell tickets for the event.

The 33-year-old enjoyed some of the best moments of his career while in Japan including his wins over Chuck Liddell and Kevin Randleman, as well as his famous knockout slam against Ricardo Arona.

Jackson was desperate to fight again in Japan before his career came to an end, even going as far as calling out Mauricio “Shogun” Rua after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135. Rua defeated “Rampage” back in April 2005 at Pride Total Elimination 2005.

However, fight fans, as well as Jackson himself, will have to wait to see what the future holds for him.

Whether or not he will be put back on the Japan card or if his opponent is still Bonnar remains unknown at this time.

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Mark Munoz Would Be "Honored" to Fight Bisping in Next Fight

After a solid victory over a tough opponent in Chris Leben, top middleweight Mark Munoz asked the UFC for a title shot against pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva. Although the two are friends, Munoz believes that he not only deserves a title shot, he …

After a solid victory over a tough opponent in Chris Leben, top middleweight Mark Munoz asked the UFC for a title shot against pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva.

Although the two are friends, Munoz believes that he not only deserves a title shot, he feels he also has the necessary skills to beat Silva. This talk has been heard many times before, but Silva still reigns.

Even so, Munoz has superior wrestling skills that could give Silva issues.

As much as Munoz would love an opportunity to get in the ring with “The Spider,” there is one other fighter that he would jump at the opportunity to face: fellow top middleweight and current Ultimate Fighter coach Michael Bisping, according to ESPN.

Bisping is currently set to face off against Jason “Mayhem” Miller at the TUF  finale in December, and with a win, he could set up a No. 1 contenders matchup against Munoz.

With his victory over Leben, Munoz has now won his last four fights—a streak Bisping could reach with a win over Miller.

When asked about the possibility of fighting the Brit, Munoz admitted that the idea was tempting.

“I could see that fight, Michael Bisping is a guy who has proven himself in this sport. He’s a great mixed martial artist,” Munoz said. “I’d love to fight him, it’d be an honour to fight him just like it was an honour to fight Chris Leben.”

 

A fight between these two top contenders could be interesting and a fun one to watch. Munoz even offered to fight on Bisping’s home turf in England, 

“I’d love to fight again over here. They booed me man. I thought I gave them a show!”

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