Michael Bisping at the UFC 127 weigh-ins – Photo via UFC.com
British middleweight Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping (23-5) is looking to crawl his way back into title contention following a loss earlier this month to Vitor Belfort in Brazil. Bisping will be featured in the co-main event of UFC 159 against Alan ‘The Talent’ Belcher (18-7) who is looking to get back near the top of the division after a loss himself.
The bout was confirmed this afternoon by ESPN.com with UFC officials who then Tweeted the news (@UFC) to fans.
UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen is expected to take place on April 27, 2013 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Bisping vs. Belcher will compliment the main event which has TUF 17 coaches, UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and contender Chael Sonnen, headlining the pay-per-view event.
As noted, Bisping suffered a defeat at the hands of Belfort this month in Brazil in the main event of UFC on FX 6 after ‘The Phenom’ landed a second round head kick which sent ‘The Count’ to the mat. The loss also cost Bisping the No. 1 contender spot. Previous to that match, the Brit had earned a decision against Brian Stann at UFC 152 and dropped a close decision against Sonnen at UFC on FOX 2 one-year ago.
Belcher lost to Yushin Okami for the second time in his career, dropping a decision to ‘Thunder’ last December at UFC 155. The defeat ended a four fight win streak for ‘The Talent’ who had racked up wins over Rousimar Palhares, Jason MacDonald, Patrick Cote, and Wilson Gouveia dating back to December 2009.