It seems that a rumored title eliminator between Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping isn’t official as both fighters have denied that the bout exists.Neither the UFC nor company president Dana White have said anything about the match, but Belfort recentl…
It seems that a rumored title eliminator between Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping isn’t official as both fighters have denied that the bout exists.
Neither the UFC nor company president Dana White have said anything about the match, but Belfort recently sent a message via his Twitter feed saying that nothing has been planned yet:
I don’t have anything confirmed about fighting Bisping. It’s all rumors. When I know about it will let you guys know.
Update — It seems the rumor gained fuel off an announcement from a minor UK rumors website, causing the story to be picked up by sites Caged Insider and SporTV. In a preemptive piece, SporTV used this as their headline:
Vitor Belfort UFC schedule x Michael Bisping for January 19 in Brazil
Bisping has also denied knowledge of an upcoming fight against Belfort, openly wondering on his own Twitter account where the news was coming from.
Belfort, who came within inches of defeating UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 152, boasts a 10-6 record in the promotion stretching back to the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament in 1997. Belfort has gone 21-10 over his entire 16-year MMA career.
Prior to the Jones fight, Belfort’s last loss came at the hands of middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a knockout loss following a sharp front kick to the face.
Bisping also last saw action at UFC 152, with his fight against Brian Stann ending in a hard-fought decision win. Often credited as a perennial title contender, Bisping stands at 13-4 in his UFC career with a 5-1 record in his last six fights—his most recent setback coming from a controversial decision loss to Chael Sonnen during UFC on FOX 2.
Before we even get into the awesome that is UFC Tonight’s recent “Fighter Trivia” episode, I just want to put it out there that I will beat any of you in any game show trivia challenge. Any of you. When I was in college, the only channel my RCA 630TS television received was The Game Show Network. Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, Double Dare, right down to the early pioneers of Press Your Luck, Match Game, Pyramid, and The Price is Right were at my disposal on a near 24/7 basis. When I wasn’t browned out in an alleyway looking for a jar of marmalade and bus ticket to Santa Fe, you could assume I was getting my trivia knowledge on with Brawlin’ Bob and the gang.
So you can imagine my excitement when I came across this gem of an idea Fuel TV devoted an episode of UFC Tonight to, with Ariel Helwani playing the proverbial Bob Eubanks role. The premise is simple, a group of fighters are subjected to what I assume is five rounds of trivia (there aren’t videos of all 5 rounds to confirm/deny this) covering everything from their knowledge of The Ultimate Fighter to that of pop culture. They are paired up for certain rounds, but mostly are forced to go on their own until one man is declared the winner.
For the inaugural segment, Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans, Dominick Cruz, and Kenny Florian were chosen as participants. Spoiler alert: Cruz doesn’t know sh*t about sh*t, and Bisping knows more about Dora the Explorer than we would have ever imagined.
After the jump: Two snippets from the show in which Florian forgets that Bisping and Evans fought at UFC 78 (along with the rest of the world) and Cruz fails to identify Bruce Springsteen by his nickname. Unforgivable, Dom.
Before we even get into the awesome that is UFC Tonight’s recent “Fighter Trivia” episode, I just want to put it out there that I will beat any of you in any game show trivia challenge. Any of you. When I was in college, the only channel my RCA 630TS television received was The Game Show Network. Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, Double Dare, right down to the early pioneers of Press Your Luck, Match Game, Pyramid, and The Price is Right were at my disposal on a near 24/7 basis. When I wasn’t browned out in an alleyway looking for a jar of marmalade and bus ticket to Santa Fe, you could assume I was getting my trivia knowledge on with Brawlin’ Bob and the gang.
So you can imagine my excitement when I came across this gem of an idea Fuel TV devoted an episode of UFC Tonight to, with Ariel Helwani playing the proverbial Bob Eubanks role. The premise is simple, a group of fighters are subjected to what I assume is five rounds of trivia (there aren’t videos of all 5 rounds to confirm/deny this) covering everything from their knowledge of The Ultimate Fighter to that of pop culture. They are paired up for certain rounds, but mostly are forced to go on their own until one man is declared the winner.
For the inaugural segment, Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans, Dominick Cruz, and Kenny Florian were chosen as participants. Spoiler alert: Cruz doesn’t know sh*t about sh*t, and Bisping knows more about Dora the Explorer than we would have ever imagined.
It’s OK Kenny, we all forgot about UFC 78. But because I live to educate you members of the Potato Nation, I offer the following Rondeau to take you back to that magical night:
It came boasting “Validation,”
Achieving mere irritation,
Two undefeated TUF winners,
Served the crowd a NyQuil dinner,
A lay-n-pray meditation.
Though it was quite a sensation,
Watching hype trains leave the station,
A future champ dry-humped Fischer, Lytle saved us.
“Assassin’s” humiliation,
A Jiu-Jitsu education?
Earlier, a ginger sinner,
Made the lights in Joe’s brain dimmer,
Overall, a dull occasion,
Lytle saved us!
God damn, I am a lyrical wordsmith.
Now, onto the pop culture round.
Now, I’m never one to play the race card, but did anyone find it rather odd that the black guy (Evans, for those of you who can’t see color or are afraid to make obvious observations) was given two questions about rappers, and all the white dudes were given questions involving Twilight, Britney Spears, Hannah Montana, and generic British history?
And you gotta love that the show made Brittney Palmer don her full octagon “uniform” — ring card and all — to inform us what round it is. Because if there’s one thing people tune into late night MMA news shows on obscure networks for, it’s the chance to see some tits.
But after three grueling rounds, Michael Bisping found himself atop the leaderboard despite the fact that he could barely remember who Prince William was married to. Unfortunately for “The Count,” Dana White still gave the third round to Rashad.
Now who else agrees that at the minimum, this needs to become a regular feature on UFC Tonight, if not a full time game show? Think about it; they could do a Password round with Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones(The password is: “coward”), and a game in which several English-speaking fighters try to decipher whatever the hell Terry Etim is saying. It would be TV gold.
It’s time to admit to ourselves, once and for all, that Anderson Silva isn’t the kind of champion we’d like him to be. After thoroughly conquering the middleweight division, fans assumed that the logical next step for the Greatest UFC Fighter of All Time would be to take more competitive matches against the elite in the light-heavyweight division. Of course, that’s not happening. Silva clearly has an agenda in the final stage of his career, and it doesn’t involve fighting non-superstars, or 205-pound phenoms who actually have a chance of beating him.
As Silva’s manager Ed Soares reiterates in this clip from Inside MMA, Anderson wants to fight UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre next, at a suggested catchweight of 177.5. And after that…well…Michael Bisping, maybe? The idea that Anderson Silva would fight Jon Jones is immediately dismissed by Soares, and the name Chris Weidman — remember him? the UFC’s actual #1 middleweight contender? — isn’t even mentioned.
It’s time to admit to ourselves, once and for all, that Anderson Silva isn’t the kind of champion we’d like him to be. After thoroughly conquering the middleweight division, fans assumed that the logical next step for the Greatest UFC Fighter of All Time would be to take more competitive matches against the elite in the light-heavyweight division. Of course, that’s not happening. Silva clearly has an agenda in the final stage of his career, and it doesn’t involve fighting non-superstars, or 205-pound phenoms who actually have a chance of beating him.
As Silva’s manager Ed Soares reiterates in this clip from Inside MMA, Anderson wants to fight UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre next, at a suggested catchweight of 177.5. And after that…well…Michael Bisping, maybe? The idea that Anderson Silva would fight Jon Jones is immediately dismissed by Soares, and the name Chris Weidman — remember him? the UFC’s actual #1 middleweight contender? — isn’t even mentioned.
Over the weekend, we explained how Michael Bisping’s latest demands for a title shot are, shall we say, a little premature, considering his current one-fight win streak. But we’ve clearly arrived at a new moment in the UFC, where “deserve” ain’t got nothin’ to do with it, and the biggest criteria for booking title fights is short-term profitability.
Bisping is a well-known heel who will obviously create more heat than a soft-spoken up-and-comer. The Count might get his title shot after one more win, or he might get his title shot without one more win, but as long as the Silva camp continues to select opponents with no regard to who’s next in line or what the fans actually want to see, I think we can all start calling Michael Bisping the UFC’s #1 middleweight contender, especially since phrases like “UFC #1 contender” don’t mean shit anymore. God help us.
(Rampage and Bisping might want to start running the things they are about to say out loud by more people than one another)
Let’s just dive right in, nation. UFC middleweight and all around centered and nice guy Michael Bisping recently spoke with MMA Junkie and had some pretty silly things to say. “I’m tired. I know I’ve got to wait my turn, but it’s pissing me off. I want to get my title shot, and if I keep beating guys, they’ll have no choice but to give it to me,” he told Junkie.
“I’m here, and I’m fighting the best guys. I want my shot.”
Bisping has undoubtedly fought some of the best fighters in the world, but he still doesn’t seem to realize that he needs to beat some of them in order to deserve a title shot. At present, ‘The Count’ has a brand new streak of exactly one, count em, one wins.
(Rampage and Bisping might want to start running the things they are about to say out loud by more people than one another)
Let’s just dive right in, nation. UFC middleweight and all around centered and nice guy Michael Bisping recently spoke with MMA Junkie and had some pretty silly things to say. “I’m tired. I know I’ve got to wait my turn, but it’s pissing me off. I want to get my title shot, and if I keep beating guys, they’ll have no choice but to give it to me,” he told Junkie.
“I’m here, and I’m fighting the best guys. I want my shot.”
Bisping has undoubtedly fought some of the best fighters in the world, but he still doesn’t seem to realize that he needs to beat some of them in order to deserve a title shot. At present, ‘The Count’ has a brand new streak of exactly one, count em, one wins.
For contrast, the actual number one contender to Anderson Silva‘s middleweight title – Chris Weidman – is undefeated and has a five fight win streak in the UFC. Bisping’s most recent win was a razor-thin decision over Brian Stann that could have easily been scored for the American.
Prior to that, Bisping lost to Chael Sonnen, who himself at the time was just 5-4 in the UFC. Bisping has been downright lucky in winning some of his biggest fights. He cheated repeatedly against Jorge Rivera and could have been disqualified if Rivera hadn’t been such a soldier and insisted on trying to fight through Bisping’s cheap shots.
Bisping was also awarded one of the worst decisions in recent years when he fought Matt Hamill. Despite having his overall record cushioned by gift wins and never having won a marquee fight, Bisping continues to complain about a title shot that only he and oddly complicit certain members of the media seem to think he deserves.
We can’t blame Bisping for having confidence in himself and trying to reach the pinnacle of the sport he loves, but he should consider making his argument in the cage and not in interviews. Right now, Weidman is the only guy that should be a tad upset that Anderson Silva is avoiding challengers in the middleweight division while he chases super fights with Georges St. Pierre and Jon Jones.
Win or lose at UFC 153 this weekend, Anderson Silva will still be UFC middleweight champion. Due to his three round main event against Stephan Bonnar taking place in the light heavyweight division, Silva has left the UFC’s middleweight contenders…
Win or lose at UFC 153 this weekend, Anderson Silva will still be UFC middleweight champion.
Due to his three round main event against Stephan Bonnar taking place in the light heavyweight division, Silva has left the UFC’s middleweight contenders trapped in limbo for a few months, an unfortunate development in a division that has finally seen some new blood creep into the title picture over the last year.
The middleweight division feels fresh for the first time in years, and that’s largely thanks to Silva’s stoppage win over ChaelSonnen at UFC 148.
Ever since the first fight between “The Spider” and Sonnen at UFC 117, there’s been a small chink in Silva’s armor of invincibility
Sonnen dominated that fight in virtually all aspects of the game for 4.5 rounds and it was the first time in Silva’s UFC career that he had shown any form of vulnerability.
In Silva’s subsequent bouts against VitorBelfort and YushinOkami, the champion made sure to remind us what had made him the greatest fighter on the planet to begin with, but in the back of everyone’s mind was ChaelSonnen and his slow rise back to the top of the division.
With Sonnen out of the way both Silva and the fans are allowed to finally look at what the rest of the division has to offer, and luckily for the UFC, there have been some fighters putting in the work necessary to earn themselves a crack at the belt.
At the top of the list is longtime middleweight contender Michael Bisping.
Bisping has been considered a top-tier fighter for quite a while now, but he has always lacked the quality wins that made him a true threat for the title at 185.
With wins over two fan favorites in Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Brian Stann sandwiching a controversial decision loss to Sonnen, Bisping finally has a resume worthy enough to throw his name into the mix for a title shot.
Due to Bisping’s popularity he may be the opponent that makes the most sense for Silva at this point, and if the UFC was able to book the fight in Bisping’s home country of England it would be a huge boost to an already growing MMA community.
But as great as a potential fight with Bisping has to sound to the UFC, they can’t ignore the quick and brutal rise of Chris Weidman.
The New York based prospect has been destroying competition during his five-fight Octagon career, and with the exception of a decision win over Demian Maia in a fight that Weidman took on 11 days notice, “The All American” has been impressive in every single bout he’s been a part of.
His complete annihilation of Mark Munoz in July was enough to move him into the top level of the division, but it wasn’t quite enough to earn him a shot at the belt, and Weidman is set to fight Tim Boetsch at UFC 155 in December.
Either Bisping or Weidman is going to get the next shot at Anderson Silva for the middleweight belt, and it may end up being Silva that ultimately decides which fighter is worthy.
If Silva decides he wants to take a bit of a break following his fight this weekend, expect the UFC to match up Bisping with the winner of the Weidman/Boetsch bout as soon as possible.
If Weidman is able to work his way into that fight, he’ll be in a legitimate No. 1 contenders bout, and he’ll have a chance at earning his title opportunity by next summer.
However, if Silva decides to stay active and fight in early 2013, I think it’s time for the UFC to pull the trigger on a Silva-Bisping title fight.
Bisping is one of the most popular fighters on the UFC’s roster, and it seems that it’s finally time to give one of the UFC’s most consistent and loyal fighters a shot at the belt.
If he’s able to somehow find a way to dethrone Silva, Bisping is a big enough attraction that he would keep the division interesting, and the influx of new contenders could make for a very entertaining few years in the middleweight class.
If Silva wins, well then the expected happened.
The UFC can keep on promoting Silva as the “baddest man on the planet,” he’ll have another well known fighter to put on his resume, and he can keep on defending his belt until someone is lucky enough to wrestle it away. Pun intended.
There’s legitimately no downside to a title fight between Michael Bisping and Anderson Silva, and if Silva’s ready to fight again in the early half of 2013 then the fight needs to happen.
Anderson Silva is back in action on Saturday night, but it will not be to defend his UFC Middleweight Championship. It is unlikely that he defends the belt again until the spring of 2013 or later. There is also the possibility of a superfight with Geor…
Anderson Silva is back in action on Saturday night, but it will not be to defend his UFC Middleweight Championship. It is unlikely that he defends the belt again until the spring of 2013 or later. There is also the possibility of a superfight with Georges St. Pierre that could push a defense back further.
Standing at the top of the list of contenders are Michael Bisping and Chris Weidman. Depending on how the schedule plays out, and if Weidman defeats Tim Boetsch in December, these two men may have to meet in a title eliminator.
Bisping is coming off of a victory over Brian Stann at UFC 152, and Weidman continued his undefeated record versus Mark Munoz in July.
Both men want a title shot, but with Silva unavailable to defend, that could force them into the Octagon against one another to determine the absolute No. 1 contender.
Here’s a look at the potential title elimination matchup.
It seems that a rumored title eliminator between Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping isn’t official as both fighters have denied that the bout exists.