UFC 127 - who's tuning in?

[mattboxingfan]

The Hamil win was pure BS. Bisping trains hard and shows up to fight but he isn't on the same level as the top 5 MWs in the world. I wouldn't pick the guy to last against, Marqaurdt, Okami, Belfort, Franklin, Silva. I don't think he'd beat Shields or Nick Diaz either. Mike is a good well rounded fighter but IMHO he hasn't shown that he has the tool box to fight the top talent. A fight with Stann might be a good next step.

Marqaurdt? He got exposed twice Bisping would be able to beat him. You say Franklin who doesn't even fight at middleweight any more but you don't mention Chael? Shields got beat up by a welterweight in Martin kampman who to be honest isn't all the great. So Bisping beats him. Nick Diaz wont fight a 185 he's to scared of Mayhem let alone Bisping who would crush him in the stand up pick him apart. I don't know what Belfort has after that loss and Okami would be a good fight i couldn't pick that one. Stann would be a step back it would be like fighting Leben again. He wasn't showed the tools? His boxing? He has great movement and his wrestling? You need to watch his fights closer. If Maia can get a title shot then Bisping deserves one. On a whole he is a more complete fighter than the champion with his take down defense and wrestling skills which is lacking by Anderson.

[VictorCharlie]

The Hamil win was pure BS. Bisping trains hard and shows up to fight but he isn't on the same level as the top 5 MWs in the world. I wouldn't pick the guy to last against, Marqaurdt, Okami, Belfort, Franklin, Silva. I don't think he'd beat Shields or Nick Diaz either. Mike is a good well rounded fighter but IMHO he hasn't shown that he has the tool box to fight the top talent. A fight with Stann might be a good next step.

Marqaurdt? He got exposed twice Bisping would be able to beat him. You say Franklin who doesn't even fight at middleweight any more but you don't mention Chael? Shields got beat up by a welterweight in Martin kampman who to be honest isn't all the great. So Bisping beats him. Nick Diaz wont fight a 185 he's to scared of Mayhem let alone Bisping who would crush him in the stand up pick him apart. I don't know what Belfort has after that loss and Okami would be a good fight i couldn't pick that one. Stann would be a step back it would be like fighting Leben again. He wasn't showed the tools? His boxing? He has great movement and his wrestling? You need to watch his fights closer. If Maia can get a title shot then Bisping deserves one. On a whole he is a more complete fighter than the champion with his take down defense and wrestling skills which is lacking by Anderson.

I doubt Bisping has the skills to take Nate down much less keep him there. Nate would ice him standing. I didn't mention Chael b/c he is under suspension but yes Chael would own the guy as well. Shields was weight drained against Kampan and your right didnt' look good but he did beat Henderson who blasted Bisping. I've watched all of Mike's fights and yes I don't think he has the skills to hang with the top tier of the MW div. You mentioned his boxing but even a rather un-polished striker like Jorge was landing looping rights regularly. He may very well get a title shot especially if he notches another win but the Maia analogy doesn't really lend credibility to him earning or deserving the shot. To me when I watch Bisping fight he always seems in trouble at some point in the fight even when he wins. To his credit that shows heart and the ability to adapt but it also shows that even less than elite caliber fighters can find and exploit holes in Mikes game.

As far as the trash talking goes I don't really care what all goes on pre-fight but afterwards show some class.

[VictorCharlie]

I can't find a source but there is a lot of message board chatter about the next TUF being Australi vs UK with Bisping and Noke as the coaches...somehow I doubt this.