Tweet
UFC: Michael Bisping wants Dan Henderson in Ultimate Fighter 9
World class MMA action returns to the British Isles next Saturday with UFC 93 being held for the first time in Dublin.
Top billing is the bout between former UFC middleweight Champion Rich Franklin and former pride Middleweight champion Dan Henderson, with the winner earning the right to become the coach of Team USA on the forthcoming The Ultimate Fighter 9 series.
In attendance, and taking special interest, will be our very own Michael Bisping. It's come full circle for 'The Count' who made his name on the show as a contestant, as he’s been lined up to coach the rival Team UK. I asked him which of the two American fighters he thought would join him on the show.
"I'm not sure Franklin will win," he said. "But if I was a gambling man I’d put my money on him. I think, to be honest, it’s going to be a very, very close fight. I think there’s an argument for both fighters to win. I think that’s what makes it such a fantastic fight, from a fan’s perspective.
"Obviously, I fight the winner of that fight so I see it from a different perspective. They’re both different fighters and bring different things to the table. On a different day, either fighter could beat each other. I think Franklin fights more intelligently, but I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way to Dan Henderson - he’s a fantastic fighter and a legend in the sport.
"For me personally I’d prefer Dan Henderson to win. Number one because it would be great to fight such a true legend.
"And number two, simply because Franklin is a southpaw, and southpaws are a bit of a pain in the backside. Chris Leben, my last opponent, was a southpaw and it changes everything - you have to change your footwork, it mixes everything up. When you’re not used to the fighter it makes it quite difficult. It didn’t really bother me last time for the fight, it was the training that was a pain in the arse. It adds an a extra hassle, an extra different dimension you have to take care of.
"Obviously, because I’ve just fought a southpaw I’d like to fight an orthodox this time.
"But that said, I think Franklin will use smarter footwork and come in with a better game plan and win the fight with Henderson by decision."
The elimination fights for Team UK have taken place this weekend. Sixteen hopefuls - 2 from Bisping's own Wolf's Lair team - have been whittled down to eight. The 4 light and 4 welterweights will then be flown out to Las Vegas to begin filming at the end of the month.
"I was down in London when the auditions took place and from what I saw there was some fantastic talent," said Bisping. "There was definitely some great ability and potential on show, so I'm very confident that the UK team will be a very strong team and will definitely be in with a chance of going out there and getting a victory. Sticking it to the Yanks, as it were!"
"I’m not sure yet when the fight of the coaches will be held. Obviously we’ve got to film the show, that should take about 6 weeks from the end of January, and then they’ve got to show it on TV which will take another 12 weeks. We’re talking 18 weeks from the end of January, so maybe early July at an educated guess. I’m not sure where we’ll be fighting, but I think more than likely we’ll be in England."
World class MMA action returns to the British Isles next Saturday with UFC 93 being held for the first time in Dublin.
Top billing is the bout between former UFC middleweight Champion Rich Franklin and former pride Middleweight champion Dan Henderson, with the winner earning the right to become the coach of Team USA on the forthcoming The Ultimate Fighter 9 series.
In attendance, and taking special interest, will be our very own Michael Bisping. It's come full circle for 'The Count' who made his name on the show as a contestant, as he’s been lined up to coach the rival Team UK. I asked him which of the two American fighters he thought would join him on the show.
"I'm not sure Franklin will win," he said. "But if I was a gambling man I’d put my money on him. I think, to be honest, it’s going to be a very, very close fight. I think there’s an argument for both fighters to win. I think that’s what makes it such a fantastic fight, from a fan’s perspective.
"Obviously, I fight the winner of that fight so I see it from a different perspective. They’re both different fighters and bring different things to the table. On a different day, either fighter could beat each other. I think Franklin fights more intelligently, but I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way to Dan Henderson - he’s a fantastic fighter and a legend in the sport.
"For me personally I’d prefer Dan Henderson to win. Number one because it would be great to fight such a true legend.
"And number two, simply because Franklin is a southpaw, and southpaws are a bit of a pain in the backside. Chris Leben, my last opponent, was a southpaw and it changes everything - you have to change your footwork, it mixes everything up. When you’re not used to the fighter it makes it quite difficult. It didn’t really bother me last time for the fight, it was the training that was a pain in the arse. It adds an a extra hassle, an extra different dimension you have to take care of.
"Obviously, because I’ve just fought a southpaw I’d like to fight an orthodox this time.
"But that said, I think Franklin will use smarter footwork and come in with a better game plan and win the fight with Henderson by decision."
The elimination fights for Team UK have taken place this weekend. Sixteen hopefuls - 2 from Bisping's own Wolf's Lair team - have been whittled down to eight. The 4 light and 4 welterweights will then be flown out to Las Vegas to begin filming at the end of the month.
"I was down in London when the auditions took place and from what I saw there was some fantastic talent," said Bisping. "There was definitely some great ability and potential on show, so I'm very confident that the UK team will be a very strong team and will definitely be in with a chance of going out there and getting a victory. Sticking it to the Yanks, as it were!"
"I’m not sure yet when the fight of the coaches will be held. Obviously we’ve got to film the show, that should take about 6 weeks from the end of January, and then they’ve got to show it on TV which will take another 12 weeks. We’re talking 18 weeks from the end of January, so maybe early July at an educated guess. I’m not sure where we’ll be fighting, but I think more than likely we’ll be in England."
Hendo or Franklin will beat Bispings ass lol
Comment