UFC 120: Michael Bisping - “Career-Defining Opportunity”

Michael Bisping to face Yoshihiro Akiyama in the UFC 120 main event on October 16

> Don't miss our UFC 120 predictions and find the official UFC 120 fight results after the fights are complete here at Pro Fighting Fans!

Once you get over his self-centered attitude, British middleweight and former TUF 3 winner Michael “The Count” Bisping is a solid fighter with unlimited potential at 185 pounds. That is the outlook shared by many, especially in the United States, about one of Great Britain’s top mixed martial artists. He will have an opportunity on October 16th as half of the headlining act at UFC 120, opposite Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama, to prove that he is not just a recognizable fighter with potential, but also one that is ready to pick up a career-defining victory.

Technically speaking, it was over six years ago that Bisping began his MMA career demolishing all ten of his opponents over the first year and a half of his career while fighting in England’s minor leagues. His “real” start to his career, however, was in 2006 when he backed up his words and won the light-heavyweight bracket on Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter 3.

Find great unique MMA apparel & clothing online from Intimidation Clothing!

He would not only win that finale, but also his first four official bouts inside the octagon. He was 14-0 by the time he met up with TUF 2 winner Rashad Evans at the November 2007 UFC 78 main event. Even though he lost a tight split decision, Bisping was declared worthy of that position and an obvious prospect for the UFC. The UFC also figured out that Bisping could serve as a “gold-mine”, promotionally speaking, and had headlining ability whether you love him or hate him.

After dropping to middleweight, Bisping again started to incline up the UFC ranks by winning his first three as a 185-pounder. He was not only winning but improving with each bout. It wasn’t until his July 2009 bout at UFC 100 that he looked to have bitten off more than he could chew. After battling PRIDE and UFC superstar Dan Henderson as opposite coaches on the ninth season of TUF, Bisping caught a flush right hook from his counterpart that sent him flat on his back in the center of the octagon canvas.

It was only his second loss in nine UFC fights, but it served as more than a loss on his record, it also seemed to flat line any momentum that he had gained with previous victories. Since that UFC 100 KO loss, Bisping has rebounded with two victories over his last three fights, including a unanimous decision victory over Dan Miller at UFC 114 this May. The victory over Miller was not flashy nor was it against a top-five level middleweight fighter; however it was the first step in his climb back up the 185-pound ladder.

His next step is Akiyama, who is coming in off of a 3rd round submission loss at UFC 116 to Chris Leben, a man that Bisping already owns a victory over. No matter the history or the common opponents, Akiyama will be considered the favorite in most mixed martial arts circles. Whether it is a fair assessment or not, this opportunity allows Bisping to lay-low and claim victory that would help him jump into a contender status once again.

> Look to Pro Fighting Fans for the official UFC 120 results after the fights are complete and check out the expanded selection of UFC clothing & merchandise available online!

If Bisping wants to get by Akiyama, he will have to play this one smarter than he ever has before. Bisping has developed into a well-rounded fighter with some solid stand-up mixed in with a good wrestling base. He will have to defend against Akiyama’s accurate striking and great technique. While the stand-up game would compare and seem to be about even, the key-to-victory has to be the ground game. If he is able to mix in an adequate ground strategy, he will be in good position to claim a victory. Akiyama is a judo specialist, but not the world’s best grappler. With that being said, the door is wide open for him to pull in Akiyama to fight his style of fight.

Bisping should be comfortable in his usual position as the headliner of the British invasion in yet another main event in England; however this one is anything but usual. A win is very important to his career and would vault him a considerable distance toward the ultimate goal; however a loss, which would be his second in three fights, would be just as devastating. It’s time for Bisping to continue the development that he began over six years ago and take the next step by defeating a top-level UFC opponent.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer