Which is exactly why the match between Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson at UFC 204 is intriguing despite the fact that both men are past their prime, or at least they’re supposed to be.
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Bisping has won four consecutive fights, including a first-round knockout against Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 which gave him the middleweight title belt.
Bisping expects to have the English crowd behind him when he fights early Sunday morning the UFC schedules its pay-per-view fights to run in the US market’s prime Saturday night viewing hours.
Win or lose, Henderson has said this will be the last fight of his career. Don’t agree with the picks? “I know that it’s got the potential to be a really tough fight.” .
That is the middleweight division’s top 12, which brings us to the heart of the matter for Bisping and Henderson.
“When I first heard about this it really excited me”, Bisping added.
I don’t see Bisping knocking out Henderson with a single shot, but just as he was able to drop Anderson Silva when they fought, I think his offensive output will eventually take a toll, and allow him to swarm on the veteran mid-way through the fight for a TKO stoppage victory.
Against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in their rematch, Henderson showed how lethal he can still be coming off a clinch and landing that right.
“I don’t know, I was just letting him know.to be honest I never know what I say and I never plan what I’m going to say”, he said.
“But really the only time I think of it is when I have to do my cardio and I think about how I won’t ever have to do that again”.
It’s been clear for some time that hanging up his gloves was the only sensible option for the 46 year-old Henderson. He wasn’t almost as accustomed to the bright lights as Henderson was, and it showed.
Like all fighters, Michael Bisping would like to avenge every, single loss that now decorates his record. He had signs of fatigue after the first round, which is highly uncharacteristic of him.
How Bisping wins: Though he’s hardly a youngster at age 37, Bisping does seem to have less mileage on him and certainly appears – based on recent exploits – to be closer to his peak. Henderson’s chin has been questionable for awhile.
The fight card also features more high profile fights as well. I’m not going out there to win a point decision. FIngers crossed I’d get the job done and I did it. Dan Henderson can do the same. It’s a loaded gun at all times. He throws short, chopping kicks, often using these to destabilize his opponent and unleash his famously powerful right hand.
Bisping, as he is known to do, had been doing most of the talking during TUF, but at UFC 100 he made the fatal mistake of circling to his left.straight into the path of Henderson’s right hand, known universally as the H-Bomb. “Fans can expect to see the best Vitor Belfort tomorrow”. I’m a better striker, and I’m faster.
Prediction: Mousasi via TKO, round two.
Jimi Manuwa to win by decision.
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Ovince Saint Preux – “Fight week has been pretty good”.
