Hyden's Take
HYDEN BLOG: Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen, and Nick Diaz
Jan 25, 2012 - 10:05:57 AM HYDEN BLOG: Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen, and Nick Diaz

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By: Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor

The UFC has a big event coming up this Saturday as UFC on Fox 2 takes place from Chicago. It's a triple-header as Phil Davis fights Rashad Evans, Michael Bisping fights Chael Sonnen, and Demian Maia fights Chris Weidman. Let's hope that the UFC doesn't hesitate to show some prelim fights if the main card fights end early. The ratings for UFC on Fox 1 clearly showed that people want to see action, not a bunch of talking heads. It's fine to have some pre-fight and post-fight discussion, but not to the point that it makes people want to tune out.

The most interesting fight on the card to me is Bisping vs. Sonnen. I'm definitely interested in seeing Evans vs. Davis, but Bisping vs. Sonnen edges it out in my eyes. In the battle of two of the most unlikeable guys in MMA, who takes the win here?

To me, it's really simple and easy to predict. Michael Bisping is going to beat the living hell out of Chael Sonnen. It's true that Bisping lacks knockout power, but his technical striking is very good. I also think his takedown defense is underrated, as is his ground game. I give Sonnen credit for being a good wrestler, but he's too one-dimensional. Sonnen will shoot in almost immediately because Bisping is going to start fast with his striking. Bisping has excellent cardio so he's going to push the pace from the beginning. I think Bisping will get the TKO stoppage sometime in the second or maybe the third round. I don't think Sonnen makes it to the end, Bisping is relentless when he smells blood.

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Nick Diaz recently said that he thinks that Carlos Condit is a better fighter than Georges St-Pierre. I'm a big Condit fan, but that's a bit of a stretch. I understand that Diaz is trying to mess with GSP, but he should try to not sound delusional. He doesn't want to get into that Chael Sonnen-area where no one takes what you say seriously. Nick hasn't reached that level, but patently absurd statements diminish your credibility. Ask Joe Rogan about that, with his "Cain Velasquez is the perfect fighter" talk moments before Velasquez got his ass kicked by Junior Dos Santos.

Gamesmanship is one thing, touting lies as truth is another. Nick wants to hype his fight with Condit, that's understandable, but it's pretty unanimous that GSP is at least top three in the world, with only Anderson Silva and Jon Jones being in the discussion. Nick should really try to stay away from these types of statements, if only because they detract from his accomplishments in the cage.

I personally believe that Condit is going to finish Diaz when they fight at UFC 143 on February 4. Diaz has won his last 11 fights, and is 15-1-1 in his last 17. Condit is 12-1 in his last 13 fights. Both of these guys are used to winning. I go with Condit to win, but a Diaz win wouldn't surprise me. Both guys are really good, and GSP is going to have a hard fight regardless of who he has to face next.


Comments and suggestions can be e-mailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com