Whether you just have a short downtime during work, or don’t want a lengthy breakdown, these “Quick Breaks” are for you. “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights with a summed-up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables. This will analyze what could happen in the fight, and end with a prediction.
This Saturday, the UFC is returning to Chicago for UFC on FOX 2. Headlining the fight is a light heavyweight showdown between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis. However, just as intriguing—if not more—is the co-main event.
Prior to Evans and Davis meeting in the Octagon, Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping will go toe-to-toe.
This highly anticipated fight is significant because the winner will be facing current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Regardless of the title shot implications, this fight pits two unique styles against each other.
It’s no secret Sonnen brings a very strong wrestling ability to the table and will certainly use it to control the fight.
Sonnen is coming off a great win and has motivation to redeem himself after losing to Silva prior to his suspension. While predictable and unwavering, his wrestling is still something not be overlooked. He will certainly use his wrestling to beat Bisping, but even knowing what Sonnen will do does not stop it from happening. Bisping will look to stuff his takedowns while being an aggressive striker.
Bisping is an ever-improving striker who remains confident in his submission game and has voiced his confidence in submitting Sonnen, but he assumingly will not take the fight to the ground first. Sonnen has shown one real weakness in his game, and that is submission defense.
Sonnen is 26-11, and eight of those losses came by submission, four of which were triangle chokes. Bisping stands 22-3 and is on a four-fight winning streak. Bisping, however, has not slapped on a submission since 2005.
Bisping will want to use his slight reach advantage and striking to keep the pressure on Sonnen, but throwing strikes always leaves your balance in a forward motion and leaves your legs with unequal weight distribution. Bisping’s strikes may give Sonnen the opening he needs, and one is all it takes. Bisping will certainly want to get in and out with his strikes.
All in all, this fight has the potential to be a great war between two guys with two different styles. Both men are motivated to get a shot at the belt—especially Bisping, who has yet to earn a title shot in his five years in the UFC.
Anderson Silva will be watching intently, and we will see who will get their shot at dethroning “The Spider.”
Prediction: Chael Sonnen wins via Decision
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