Tag: Preview/Prediction

Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson 2: Odds, Predictions After Weigh-In

UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will finally get the chance to avenge one of the most disappointing losses of his career at UFC 204 on Saturday, as he takes on veteran Dan Henderson with the middleweight strap on the line.
The two met at UFC …

UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will finally get the chance to avenge one of the most disappointing losses of his career at UFC 204 on Saturday, as he takes on veteran Dan Henderson with the middleweight strap on the line.

The two met at UFC 100 in 2009, when Henderson delivered one of the most stunning knockouts in MMA history in the second round. Here’s a look at that bout, via the UFC’s official YouTube channel:

Bisping has since pushed himself to the top of the middleweight division, however, winning the title with a spectacular knockout of his own against Luke Rockhold at UFC 199.

Here’s a look at some of the key info ahead of Saturday’s main event.

    

Weigh-In Info: Bisping: 185 pounds, Henderson: 184 pounds

Odds: Odds Shark has Bisping (2-5) as the favourite over Henderson (39-20).

Venue: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England

    

Here’s a look at the weigh-in, via the UFC’s official Twitter account:

Bisping enters Saturday’s bout on a four-fight win streak and in the best form of his life, setting the stage for a successful first title defence. The 37-year-old is as confident as ever, as he should be after posting recent victories over Rockhold and Anderson Silva.

Facing him in his first title defence will be Henderson, who has lost three of his last five fights, all within the distance, and looks as if his age is finally catching up with him.

The 46-year-old still has a solid chin and some of the best raw power in the middleweight division. He’s a knockout specialist who does a good job of cutting off the Octagon and forcing opponents into the path of his thunderous right hook. As Bisping told the Fight Society podcast (h/t Fox Sports’ Damon Martin) recently, he is aware of that one-shot power:

In that first fight, I believe I was the better striker. I believe I was faster and younger and all these things and that’s still the case now. I’m definitely faster, I’m definitely a better striker, I think I’ve got a more well-rounded skill set, but that doesn’t matter. It only takes one and Dan was able to land that shot.

That’s what makes Dan dangerous in this fight. He knows he has the knockout power and he knows it only takes one and he knows he’s done it before. Win or lose, he’s going to retire after this fight so he’s got nothing to lose.

Henderson has a chance to make UFC history by becoming the oldest competitor to win a title, but he’ll face a stiff challenge against Bisping. The hometown hero has improved compared to their first fight, and there’s a reason he’s the current champion.

While he might not have Henderson’s raw power, he does a great job of breaking down fighters and can knock out the best of them if he finds an opening―just ask Rockhold. Bisping‘s footwork is what sets him apart, and he should have success darting in and out of the reach of Henderson.

He’s also become a far more intelligent fighter―at UFC 100, he made the mistake of ducking to the left to avoid Henderson’s jab, which ultimately set up the huge right hand that ended the fight.

Bisping no longer makes mistakes like that, and while he will be determined to stop his opponent in front of the home crowd, he’ll know Henderson lacks the stamina to outwork him over the course of a full fight and win a decision.

MMA writer Alan Murphy believes in the veteran’s chances, though:

If Bisping doesn’t try to do too much in front of his own fans and open himself up to a big shot, he should break down Henderson over the course of the first two rounds or find his opening even sooner.

Patience will be key, and Bisping may be more interested in putting on a show and trading with his rival, but if he keeps his nerves, he should defend his title successfully.

Prediction: Bisping by stoppage

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UFC 204 Fight Card: PPV Schedule, Odds, Predictions for Bisping vs. Henderson 2

Michael Bisping is the betting favourite for his middleweight title fight against challenger Dan Henderson at UFC 204 at the Manchester Arena in England. The main event will take place in the early hours of Sunday morning, with Clitheroe native Bisping…

Michael Bisping is the betting favourite for his middleweight title fight against challenger Dan Henderson at UFC 204 at the Manchester Arena in England. The main event will take place in the early hours of Sunday morning, with Clitheroe native Bisping keen to avenge a 2009 knockout loss to the American.

The rest of the card is highlighted by Gegard Mousasi’s fight with Vitor Belfort. Here’s the schedule, along with the latest odds, courtesy of Odds Shark:

 

Predictions

Bisping is the favourite, but it’s Henderson who may have more motivation than the reigning champion. After all, the 46-year-old is planning to retire after the fight, regardless of the outcome.

Of course, if you’re talking motivation, Bisping’s pride dictates he’ll be determined to erase painful memories from seven years ago. Back then, Henderson floored Bisping in the opening round of UFC 100, with the American also deciding to lay an elbow on a prone Bisping to “shut him up a little bit,” according to Mike Dyce of Sports Illustrated.

The elbow hasn’t done much to weaken Bisping’s confidence, though. In fact, The Count is so sure of himself he’s been content to rib Henderson over his decision to walk away, per Andy Bull of the Guardian: “He hasn’t aged like fine wine. He has gone the other way. I think he’s retiring for a reason.”

Bisping has even gone as far as to predict a third-round stoppage, insisting he’s going to make Henderson show his age, according to Damon Martin of Fox Sports.

Fighting in front of a partisan crowd can give Bisping the edge. Yet he also faces extra pressure from trying to please the home faithful. However, The Count thrives under pressure.

The pressure did not unnerve him when he dismantled former champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in June. Bisping boasts the youth and speed to steer clear of Henderson’s formidable striking this time.

The champion’s movement will be key because Henderson remains not only powerful but precise as a striker, with FightMetric crediting him with 48 percent accuracy. But the same source also rates Bisping’s defence at 66 percent, so something has to give.

Henderson may be up there in years, but he’s lost none of his power—at least according to ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto, who noted the challenger remains “always one right hand away from rewriting everything we think we know about a perceived outcome.”

Still, Okamoto believes this will be Bisping’s fight, agreeing with the champion’s view it won’t go beyond three rounds.

Bisping is a different fighter than the upstart whom Henderson put down in 2009. So is Henderson, who is that much slower in 2016. The differences in both men will prove decisive, according to fellow middleweight Mousasi, per James Gray of the Daily Express: “Dan Henderson always has a chance, but I think he is a little slower now and his timing isn’t there.”

Meanwhile, the same source quotes fighter Scott Askham, who believes Bisping is “better prepared” for Henderson’s “knockout power.”

The prevailing notion is a sensible one. Bisping is now more refined as a grappler, but even if he can’t keep things on the mat, he’s gotten smarter at avoiding the kind of big shot that would let Henderson bow out as a champion.

Prediction: Bisping wins by decision.

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Bisping vs. Henderson 2: Weigh-In Info, Top Comments Before UFC 204

Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson both made weight ahead of their middleweight title tussle in Manchester on Saturday night at UFC 204.
Bisping, the champion, will be defending the strap he won against Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in his hometown. While th…

Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson both made weight ahead of their middleweight title tussle in Manchester on Saturday night at UFC 204.

Bisping, the champion, will be defending the strap he won against Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in his hometown. While this one will be a memorable occasion for that fact alone, the Englishman also has the chance to avenge his controversial loss to Henderson in 2009.

For the veteran American, there’s a chance to make history. Should he upset his rival’s homecoming and win a UFC title for the first time, the 46-year-old would become the oldest competitor in the company’s existence to win a belt.

Here’s a recap of some of the key information from the weigh-in and what’s being said ahead of one of the year’s biggest sporting occasions.

             

Bisping Out to Settle Henderson Score

Although both of these men are a little past their peak years, the anticipation levels ramped up when they came face-to-face for the final time before their rematch.

In terms of weight, Henderson was just the lighter man on the scales, measuring 184 pounds. As we can see here courtesy of his Instagram account, despite coming in at exactly 185 pounds, Bisping had quickly bulked up again following the weigh-in:

It’s going to be fascinating to see how both men approach this one and just how much of an influence their first fight will have on the thinking of each.

In that one, Henderson landed a stunning right hand, leaving Bisping dazed as he fell to the floor. However, despite appearing to be unconscious, Henderson struck his opponent hard a second time before the bout was eventually called off.

The UFC’s Twitter account posted the following clip previewing the rematch, including footage of that infamous knockout from Henderson back at UFC 100, in which Bisping makes it clear he’s out for revenge:

So perhaps it was no surprise that Bisping was pumped up at the ceremonial weigh-ins when discussing the logo Henderson uses, which is a silhouette of the knockout seven years ago. 

“Every time I see that logo, on his shorts, his banner, I think: ‘You bastard,’” said Bisping, per Andy Bull of the Guardian. “I don’t sit up at night thinking about [Henderson], thinking about revenge. But I do want to set the record straight.”

Henderson will be hoping that win plays on the mind of his opponent as he seeks to add the final chapter to his distinguished legacy in the sport.

Henderson explained what winning a title would mean to him during an appearance on the Fight Society podcast (h/t Fox Sports’ Damon Martin): 

It’s definitely something that’s been a goal of mine and I feel like I’ve been close to having that opportunity again and should have had that opportunity against Jon Jones and just got hurt and had a rough road back after the injury. I’m pretty thankful to be in this position where the fans asked for this fight and Dana White obliged.

For Henderson this will be a completely different and potentially even more difficult challenge than the one he faced at UFC 100. Bisping is a man that’s looked emboldened with the belt, and the win over Rockhold will provide him with a lot of confidence.

The American’s recent record doesn’t read particularly well, with six losses in his last nine UFC fights. However, per MMA journalist Alan Murphy, such is the nature of the sport, and it’s tough to write him off:

Given his power and experience, Henderson does have a chance, and there have been times in Bisping’s career when his chin his looked suspect. Should he land flush again, the veteran can go on and win this one.

However, there’s been a maturity in Bisping’s recent displays, with wins over huge names like Rockhold and Anderson Silva. Provided he can avoid his opponents’ “H-Bomb” shots, the Englishman’s superior industry, improved striking variety and home-crowd backing will see him secure a memorable triumph.

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UFC 204: Bisping vs. Henderson 2 Fight Card, TV Info, Predictions and More

Michael Bisping will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Dan Henderson in the main event of UFC 204. 
You didn’t read that wrong. The year is still 2016. Michael Bisping really is the UFC middleweight champion, and Dan Henderson is re…

Michael Bisping will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Dan Henderson in the main event of UFC 204. 

You didn’t read that wrong. The year is still 2016. Michael Bisping really is the UFC middleweight champion, and Dan Henderson is really still fighting at the age of 46. 

In fact, Henderson’s 46 combined with Bisping‘s 37 is the oldest title fight that doesn‘t involve Randy Couture, per Reed Kuhn of Fightnomics:

The middleweight championship fight isn’t the only one going down in Manchester, England, that’s worth keeping an eye on. The middleweight division has a fight that will shape the title picture between Gegard Mousasi and Vitor Belfort, as well as the return of prospect Mirsad Bektic. 

Here’s a look at the complete card along with some predictions for the biggest fights on the card. 

  

Mirsad Bektic vs. Russell Doane

In a division that may or may not have a king depending on how you view Conor McGregor as a featherweight, Bektic stands out as a prospect to keep an eye on. 

The 25-year-old is far from a title shot as it stands right now—he’s ranked 15th in the UFC rankings. 

However, it might not be long before he’s in that discussion. This will be his first fight in nearly a year-and-a-half because of an ACL injury. As Patrick Wyman of Bleacher Report noted, just how good Bektic looks in his comeback fight will be one of the most interesting things to note at UFC 204:

Russell Doane finds himself in a near must-win situation. The 30-year-old, who usually fights at bantamweight, is coming up in weight after a three-fight losing streak. 

The only saving grace for him might be that he’s stepping in on short notice after two opponents pulled out of the card. 

Bektic also feels that his back is against the wall despite the different trajectories of their careers, per Mike Bohn and John Morgan of MMAJunkie. 

I feel like his back is up against the wall, but so is mine. I have a lot to prove as well. We’re both in different situations but similar circumstances. I’m new. He’s new. This could be great for him. He’s coming up and doesn’t have to cut so much weight. He told (UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby, and when the ref asks him if he’s ready when he looks across the cage, he’s going to say. ‘Yes,’ and we’re going to go at it.

As long as Bektic has maintained the athleticism that made him an exciting undefeated prospect, he should take care of Doane rather easily and reinsert himself into the mix at featherweight. 

   

Vitor Belfort vs. Gegard Mousasi

On a card that is headlined by a middleweight title fight, Belfort vs. Mousasi might be the most interesting fight at 185 pounds on the card. 

Belfort is obviously one of the most recognizable names in the division. At 39 years old, he’s still matching up with the best in the division and will need to bounce back after a first-round TKO loss to Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza. 

Meanwhile, Mousasi will look to finally pick up the win over a top-five opponent that will get him in the title conversation. 

As with a lot of Belfort fights, this might just be a question of how long the fight lasts. In the video below posted by the UFC, Mousasi talks about surviving Belfort‘s initial onslaught, because after that, there isn’t much left:

That’s the right strategy for Mousasi here as all three of Belfort‘s most recent wins have come by way of first-round TKO. 

Belfort is still going to threaten Mousasi early, but if he can ward off the early knockout, he should have the advantage. Mousasi‘s ground game is much more polished, and his stand-up has more depth than the Brazilian. 

Look for Mousasi to weather the early storm and come back to win the fight in the second or third round. 

    

Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson

This one is all about the bad blood. 

Henderson isn’t your traditional title contender, but the achievements of his career make this a bit more palatable as a championship fight. 

But it doesn‘t erase the fact that Bisping has looked like the much better fighter of late. 

Henderson has said this is his final fight, which adds an interesting layer to a matchup that we haven’t seen in seven years. 

“I think I’m content with whatever happens. Obviously, the only outcome in my head is that I’m going to win—but I’m ready for it to be over,” Henderson said, per Brett Okamoto of ESPN. “I’m kind of looking forward to the different chapter I’m going to start after this fight.”

The fact that there’s a part of Henderson that’s looking forward to this all being over doesn‘t exactly inspire confidence. 

Henderson’s tendency to only look for the big shot that will knock his opponent out is usually concerning, but in a fight where he has come to peace with both outcomes, that concern might be magnified.

Regardless of how one feels about Bisping‘s win over Luke Rockhold to win the middleweight title, Bisping has experienced something of a career renaissance. He’s moving just as well as he ever did in his career at 37 years old and should be the much more technical fighter. 

With Henderson’s chin fading, that should be enough for The Count to flip the script from UFC 100 and get the finish in the third round. 

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UFC 204: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions

UFC 204 goes down Saturday from Manchester, England.
In the co-main event, you have Michael Bisping defending his middleweight title for the first time, and he’s doing it against Dan Henderson, the man who famously flatlined him at UFC 100 back in 2009…

UFC 204 goes down Saturday from Manchester, England.

In the co-main event, you have Michael Bisping defending his middleweight title for the first time, and he’s doing it against Dan Henderson, the man who famously flatlined him at UFC 100 back in 2009.

Fighting in front of his hometown crowd, Bisping is surely seeking revenge for the knockout. But that’s only one of five fights on the pay-per-view main card. 

Full disclosure: This main card is not what you’d call sparkling. All the more reason why you need us to illuminate the darkness. We’re here as we always are to give you the picks. Nathan McCarter. Steven Rondina. Craig “Cookie” Amos. Sydnie Jones. And myself, Scott Harris. Let’s get it on.

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UFC 204 Betting Preview: Bisping vs. Henderson Odds, Card Analysis

Middleweight champion Michael Bisping (30-7) has waited more than seven years for this moment—the opportunity to defeat Dan Henderson (32-14) on his own turf at the Manchester Arena in a rematch Saturday night at UFC 204.
Bisping lost the first f…

Middleweight champion Michael Bisping (30-7) has waited more than seven years for this moment—the opportunity to defeat Dan Henderson (32-14) on his own turf at the Manchester Arena in a rematch Saturday night at UFC 204.

Bisping lost the first fight to Henderson by a brutal first-round knockout at UFC 100 back in July 2009. He will now be going for his fifth straight victory when he defends his title for the first time as a -235 betting favorite (wager $235 to win $100) at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark.

Bisping stunned former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold by first-round KO at UFC 199 on June 4 in Los Angeles to earn the chance to fight across the pond in his home country of England, where he has never lost (17-0).

The 37-year-old Brit, who won the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter as a light heavyweight a decade ago, has certainly come a long way and evolved into one of the most well-rounded and experienced fighters in the organization. In his last fight in England, he earned a unanimous-decision victory against another former champ in Anderson Silva on February 27.

Meanwhile, the 46-year-old Henderson is a +185 underdog (bet $100 to win $185) on the UFC betting lines and has seen his MMA career wind down lately, stating in July that this will be his last bout inside the Octagon, per the Talking Brawls podcast (via Severe MMA).

A former Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling for the United States and three-time NCAA champion in that sport, Hendo has gone just 3-6 in his last nine bouts. However, he stunned Hector Lombard with a second-round KO via head kick and elbows on the same UFC 199 card that saw Bisping win the title, prompting the rematch.

In the co-main event, Brazilian Vitor Belfort (25-12) will try to avoid his third loss in four fights when he takes on Dutch kickboxer Gegard Mousasi (39-6-2). The 31-year-old Mousasi also holds a black belt in judo and is listed as a heavy -335 favorite against Belfort, who is a +255 underdog and clearly not the same fighter he once was.

The 39-year-old Belfort posted three straight wins over Bisping, Rockhold and Henderson before dropping two of three, which has coincided with him no longer being able to use testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) since it was banned in 2014. Mousasi has won four of five, including a first-round TKO of Henderson in early 2015.

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