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UFC’s Hector Lombard: Michael Bisping Is a ‘Douchebag’ with ‘Small Hands’

Middleweight contender Hector Lombard has a few sharp words for plenty of fighters in the UFC, with some of his harshest criticism pointed at Michael Bisping.During an interview with MMA Junkie, the former Bellator champion discussed a wide range of to…

Middleweight contender Hector Lombard has a few sharp words for plenty of fighters in the UFC, with some of his harshest criticism pointed at Michael Bisping.

During an interview with MMA Junkie, the former Bellator champion discussed a wide range of topics, talking about fighting at his adoptive home in Australia, death threats from the Japanese mafia and everything that he thinks is wrong with mixed martial arts today.

When asked about a recent encounter with Michael Bisping, Lombard revealed that he wasn’t impressed in the least by the famous Englishman:

The funny thing for me is this sport has become a joke. And no disrespect, but it’s become a joke with all these fighters trying to copy Chael Sonnen. OK, Chael was the original, right? It’s good for him what he became with all his media trash, which I have respect for him, because he was the first person who came up with the idea. And now, what’s this douchebag that’s always talking s— about me? Michael Bisping. He thinks that he’s funny. Now, he’s just copying him.

Bisping has been a noted trash-talker ever since he first stepped into the spotlight on The Ultimate Fighter, but the quick rise of Sonnen has apparently drawn a lot of comparisons between the two UFC stars. But it’s not just the talking that bothers Lombard:

I actually saw him at the elevator, and Michael Bisping has got the smallest hands I’ve ever seen in my life. He says I’m a midget. OK. Fair enough. But I squeeze his hand – I didn’t want to shake his hand, but I said, I don’t want to leave you like that because I have a little bit of education – and he was about to cry, so I let it go.

Both Lombard and Bisping are gunning for shots at the UFC Middleweight Championship, currently held by pound-for-pound kingpin Anderson Silva.

Lombard faces off against dangerous submission specialist Rousimar Palhares in the main card of UFC on FX 6 on Saturday, with a title shot potentially hanging in the balance. Lombard made his UFC debut last July, where he was upset by decision against former light heavyweight Tim Boetsch.

Bisping has a risky fight of his own coming up in enemy territory, as he faces Vitor Belfort this January 2013 at UFC on FX 7. That match takes place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and could likely determine the next challenger to Silva’s middleweight title.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

TUF Future: 10 More Coaches That Can Save UFC’s Ultimate Fighter

This coming Saturday, one of the most painfully lackluster seasons of The Ultimate Fighter will finally, finally come to a close.Heavyweight fighters Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin share plenty of the blame for being dim personalities in a reality sh…

This coming Saturday, one of the most painfully lackluster seasons of The Ultimate Fighter will finally, finally come to a close.

Heavyweight fighters Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin share plenty of the blame for being dim personalities in a reality show that’s almost solely driven by rivalries and reality television antics, but FX and the UFC are equally to blame for sticking it in a Friday-night death slot.

Now, things may finally turn around.

UFC light heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones (already one of MMA‘s most divisive personalities) will face off against master trash-talker Chael Sonnen for TUF 17 on Tuesday nights next month, in a season that aims to save the ailing TV show. But what happens after they’re done?

Unfortunately, the UFC rarely seems to plan ahead for worst-case scenarios—what if TUF 17 isn’t the roaring success they expect?

Instead of slapping a Band-Aid on the situation, the promotion needs to maintain big names for future TUF seasons on FX. Here’s 10 more fighters that fit the bill.

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5 UFC Fighters Who Have Dramatically Stepped Up Their Game in 2012

MMA is undoubtedly a sport of thrills and surprises. Aside from exciting knockouts and back-and-forth slugfests, perhaps the most interesting element of shock within the UFC can be reached when a formerly unappreciated fighter rises above all expect…

Many times has the UFC witnessed several competitors rigorously push themselves to learn, train and ultimately adapt to match the physical and mental abilities of the top-tier adversaries of their weight class. It is truly a moment of wonder when fans see a fighter nobody thought would ever escape the lower ranks of a specific division suddenly giving performances that beckon intimidation, potential and undeniable determination.

This is a list of five fighters that were previously not taken particularly seriously but have now become valid if not top contenders in their division due to their work ethic, dedication and desire to improve their skills and degree of fitness.

These newly successful fighters have proven that if you’ve got that fighting spirit and vital love of the game, a prosperous career is just a solid streak of rigorous practice sessions away.

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Michael Bisping Says He’s the Unofficial Strikeforce Middleweight Champ

Middleweight title contender Michael Bisping isn’t impressed with Luke Rockhold.In fact, “The Count” claims that he outclasses the injured Strikeforce champion so thoroughly that he should technically be the one wearing Rockhold’s title belt.However, B…

Middleweight title contender Michael Bisping isn’t impressed with Luke Rockhold.

In fact, “The Count” claims that he outclasses the injured Strikeforce champion so thoroughly that he should technically be the one wearing Rockhold’s title belt.

However, Bisping doesn’t deny that Rockhold should get the call-up to the UFC when Strikeforce officially shuts down after January.

During an interview on SPIKE’s MMA Uncensored Live (via MMA Mania), Bisping alluded to the gap in skill between himself and Rockhold, recalling a previous training session between them:

Luke Rockhold? By all accounts he and Lorenz Larkin should fight and the winner of that fight—if not both of them—[should] go over to the UFC. Are they gonna come over and be number one contenders? I don’t think so. You’re in Strikeforce, come over to the UFC and earn your place. Let me put it like this: I’ve sparred with Luke Rockhold recently and let’s just say I’m the unofficial Strikeforce champion. Sorry Luke, but these are the facts.

Bisping and Rockhold are both considered two of the middleweight division’s best fighters by several MMA publications, including Bleacher Report’s own November 2012 rankings.

Bisping has been chasing a title shot for much of his UFC career, building up a 13-4 record in the promotion with three Fight of the Night awards.

The Englishman is 5-1 in his last six bouts, with his lone loss coming at the hands of Chael Sonnen.

On January 19, 2013, Bisping is scheduled to face former UFC champion Vitor Belfort in the main event of UFC on FX 7 in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a title eliminator.

Rockhold was scheduled to take part in the final Strikeforce card with a title defense against Lorenz Larkin, but pulled out of the fight due to a wrist injury. Larkin has since called out Rockhold for dropping the fight, claiming that the champion doesn’t want to risk a loss, and by proxy, a spot in the UFC.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Friday Link Dump: Last Day of Movember (!), Every UFC Champion Ranked, Jose Aldo Plans His Retirement + More

How To Always Win In A Fight – Watch More Funny Videos
(Paul “Boom!” Vunak vs. Bas “Bang!” Rutten, held under Filipino Alley Fight rules: Who takes it and how? / Props: Break.com)

– Today’s Your Last Day to Donate to the “Mo’Tato Nation” Movember Team! Do It! (Movember.us)

– Power Ranking Every UFC Champion in History (BleacherReport)

– Michael Bisping Readies for Vitor Belfort, Aims to Avoid Dubious Distinction (MMAFighting)

– José Aldo Announces His MMA Retirement Age, Next Step Already Figured Out (Fightline)

– “Dat Ass!” Alert: MMA Ring Girl Shannon Ihrke Shows Off the Goods (Facebook.com/CagePotato)

– UFC on Fox 5 Fighter Jeremy Stephens Jury Trial Scheduled for January 9, 2013 (BloodyElbow)

– Dana White To Fighters: Tone Down Training Ahead Of UFC on FOX 5 (FightDay)

– Support Movember, Eat an Onion (MadeMan)

– The Worst Thing Ever (HolyTaco)

– Five Easy Steps to Becoming a Successful Cult Leader (EgoTV)

– The 50 Dirtiest Moments in Cartoon History (WorldWideInterweb)

– Answers From a Hot Girl: Can I Encourage My Girlfriend to Lose Weight? (MensFitness)

– The 100 Biggest Twitter Fails of All Time (Complex)

How To Always Win In A Fight – Watch More Funny Videos
(Paul “Boom!” Vunak vs. Bas “Bang!” Rutten, held under Filipino Alley Fight rules: Who takes it and how? / Props: Break.com)

– Today’s Your Last Day to Donate to the “Mo’Tato Nation” Movember Team! Do It! (Movember.us)

– Power Ranking Every UFC Champion in History (BleacherReport)

– Michael Bisping Readies for Vitor Belfort, Aims to Avoid Dubious Distinction (MMAFighting)

– José Aldo Announces His MMA Retirement Age, Next Step Already Figured Out (Fightline)

– “Dat Ass!” Alert: MMA Ring Girl Shannon Ihrke Shows Off the Goods (Facebook.com/CagePotato)

– UFC on Fox 5 Fighter Jeremy Stephens Jury Trial Scheduled for January 9, 2013 (BloodyElbow)

– Dana White To Fighters: Tone Down Training Ahead Of UFC on FOX 5 (FightDay)

– Support Movember, Eat an Onion (MadeMan)

– The Worst Thing Ever (HolyTaco)

– Five Easy Steps to Becoming a Successful Cult Leader (EgoTV)

– The 50 Dirtiest Moments in Cartoon History (WorldWideInterweb)

– Answers From a Hot Girl: Can I Encourage My Girlfriend to Lose Weight? (MensFitness)

– The 100 Biggest Twitter Fails of All Time (Complex)

Michael Bisping: Vitor Belfort Will Turn into a ‘Walking Punching Bag’

Michael Bisping is sick and tired of waiting on Anderson Silva, but the famous Englishman can’t ignore the challenge of former champion Vitor Belfort.Despite the threat that Belfort poses to “The Count” in the stand-up, Bisping insists that he’ll be th…

Michael Bisping is sick and tired of waiting on Anderson Silva, but the famous Englishman can’t ignore the challenge of former champion Vitor Belfort.

Despite the threat that Belfort poses to “The Count” in the stand-up, Bisping insists that he’ll be the one dishing out most of the damage after his opponent tires himself out.

During a recent chat with MMA Fighting, Bisping insisted that his game plan simply relied on Belfort faltering after the first round:

It’s well documented, rightly or wrongly, that Vitor gasses quickly. He does slow down after the first round. Obviously, early for me is going to be the most dangerous. The longer the fight goes, he’ll start turning into a walking punching bag. At least that’s the plan.

It’s easier said than done. He’s going to come out hard and fast, and he will be dangerous. He’s a big middleweight. He’s been a heavyweight (tournament) champion, and was a light heavyweight champion back in the day. But these are the kind of fights I’m going to take if I want to back up my talking.

Bisping also reiterated that his UFC on FX 7 main event bout in January against Belfort should be for an interim middleweight championship, wanting to “keep the division moving” in Silva’s absence.

Although Bisping suffered a highlight reel worthy knockout against current light heavyweight contender Dan Henderson a few years ago at UFC 100, he hasn’t been stopped on strikes since then.

Out of the eight men that Bisping has battled since his loss to Henderson, the heaviest hitters were arguably Wanderlei Silva and Brian Stann, both of whom Bisping fought to judges’ decisions. Bisping is coming off a win on a 5-1 run, while Belfort has racked up four first-round stoppages with a 4-2 record in his own recent six fight stretch.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com