UFC
UFC on Fox 2: Chael Sonnen says Michael Bisping would beat UFC Champ Anderson Silva
Jan 29, 2012 - 10:00:07 PM UFC on Fox 2: Chael Sonnen says Michael Bisping would beat UFC Champ Anderson Silva

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Chael Sonnen edged past Michael Bisping on Saturday night, taking a heavily contested decision over "The Count" to earn another fight with Anderson Silva in June. But the fight was far from easy, and on very short notice Bisping shocked many with his grappling acumen against a man who had been mauling several opponents with his wrestling game.

It was a very good showing for Bisping in a loss, and one that may have even raised his profile despite the setback. For Sonnen, it was a fight he wasn't expecting, and he complimented Bisping after the fight for the performance.

"I was surprised about everything," Sonnen said at the post-fight press conference (transcribed by MMAJunkie.com). "Michael Bisping hit me so hard in the first round that I didn't even know what day it was. I remember when I came to, looking at him and thinking, 'Oh my God, you have no idea how bad you hurt me or you'd step in and do something about it.'"

"The only round I knew I had was the third. I thought I might have one of the first two, but I didn't know I had it. I was never in a position tonight where I was comfortable. Not once."

Sonnen continues to take shots at Silva at any opportunity he has, and after delivering another set of comments on his "belief" that Silva won't sign to fight him, he shifted focus back to Bisping.

"I'd rather talk about real men like Michael Bisping who step in on 10 days' notice and fight me," Sonnen said. "Those are the types of guys I'd rather give attention to – not some bum in Brazil."

"I can assure you having fought him and the alleged champ, [Bisping] could win the title today if they gave him the opportunity."

Penick's Analysis: It's high praise from Sonnen towards Bisping, and while I don't think either fighter would beat Silva right now, Bisping certainly equated himself well on Saturday night. He is a much better fighter than most would like to give him credit for, and while he lost a decision to Sonnen, he actually had great stretches with his striking, and worked much better in the clinch. He tired out after the second round, and Sonnen was able to take advantage to take the clearest round of the fight, but it wasn't the one-sided fight many believed they were going to see in Chicago. The popular belief was that a loss to Sonnen at this stage might mean Bisping would never get to a title fight; after that performance, however, he proved he's capable of hanging in with top flight fighters, and a win or two more and he'll get his opportunity.

[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]