UFC
UFC 144 winner Tim Boetsch wants Michael Bisping bout as part of middleweight agenda
Mar 9, 2012 - 4:10:47 PM UFC 144 winner Tim Boetsch wants Michael Bisping bout as part of middleweight agenda

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Tim Boetsch's move to the middleweight division has proven to be a fantastic choice. His loss to Phil Davis at UFC 123 was the catalyst to his move down, and his size and power have translated well at 185 lbs.

After two workmanlike, yet convincing, decision wins over Kendall Grove and Nick Ring, Boetsch was given a big opportunity in a fight against Yushin Okami at UFC 144 last month. Though Boetsch found himself down two rounds to none heading into the final frame in that fight, he made a huge statement when he came out and knocked Okami unconscious in the third.

For Boetsch, that was a clear message to anyone who believed he was simply a grinder, and an announcement to the rest of the division that he's a very dangerous man.

"I've done interviews where they'll say I'm known for being a grinder, wearing people out, and I've had to remind them that sure, my last two wins at middleweight went to decision, but before that I won most of my fights by TKO and finishing guys," Boetsch said in an interview with FCFighter.com This isn't anything new, my power certainly hasn't gone away; I feel like I'm hitting harder now than I was at light-heavyweight. I think that maybe people had forgotten that I can stop people with my hands."

Boetsch believes the win over the last title challenger in the division should net him another top matchup for his next fight. Indeed, he's got a few names in mind, with one in particular being a fight he's thought about for some time.

"I'd like to think my next fight will be against whoever's next in line to determine who will face the winner of the Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen fight," Boetsch said. "Definitely I'd like to take on a top three fighter; I want that fight, I want to take them out."

"[Michael] Bisping's name has been on my agenda for a long time. Even back when we were at light-heavyweight he was someone I wanted to fight. I think he did a heck of a job against Chael and he's certainly up there as a contender... It will be interesting to see who they come with, and whoever they do, I'll be ready."

Penick's Analysis: With Bisping needing to take a fight to get himself into title contention, a bout with Boetsch actually makes a ton of sense right now. Boetsch is a very dangerous opponent, and he showed off against Okami that his hands are nothing to take lightly. He's got the power to finish any opponent at any point in a fight, and the win over Okami should afford him an opportunity like the fight against Bisping. It's a matchup that I'm actually really intrigued in now, and hopefully it's something the UFC gives serious consideration to.