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ROUNDTABLE: Thoughts on Tim Kennedy's victory over Michael Bisping at the "TUF: Nations" Finale
Apr 18, 2014 - 11:50:33 AM
ROUNDTABLE: Thoughts on Tim Kennedy's victory over Michael Bisping at the "TUF: Nations" Finale
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Was Tim Kennedy's win over Michael Bisping more a sign of how good Kennedy is in the division or was it a sign of a decline for Bisping? Or did it mean anything other than Kennedy being better than Bisping on Wednesday night? Why?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Why is this an 'either-or' question? How about this; Tim Kennedy's takedowns and top control are better than Michael Bisping's takedown defense and sweeps, and neither fighter are anywhere near as good as the public-at-large has been conned into believing they are. Michael Bisping is a slightly above average point-fighter with (reputedly) decent takedown defense (although he might be one of my favorite people in the UFC), and Tim Kennedy is a grappler with no sense of urgency whatsoever (Luke Rockhold on Line Two). Bisping talked his way into the top-five of the rankings of the most incompetent ranking panel in the history of sport, and Kennedy got this fight based on both his own mouth and the fact that he knocked out the guy (Rafael Natal) whose best win was over Travis Lutter, outside the UFC in 2010. Mix all of that together along with several months of contrived bullshit taunting from both camps, and you wind up with a completely tepid fight in front of a tepid crowd who were stoopid enough to believe that they were going to get Rock em Sock em Robots. Newflash, people: Point-Fighter vs. Lay and Pray never, and I do mean never, excites anyone.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

I'm bemused about Bisping's performance Wednesday night. He's left a sour taste in my mouth. Was it due to the year off? An injury? Or he just isn't the fighter he once was? I hate to say this being one of his biggest fans, but I fear it's the latter. He didn't have any answers to Kennedy's takedowns. This is very unlike Bisping; we have seen in the past against world class wrestlers like Chael Sonnen, when he was taken down, it wasn't long before he was back to his feet again. Last night was the complete opposite, he didn't even look like getting up and defending the takedowns coming his way.

Yes we have to give credit to Tim Kennedy and Greg Jackson's game plan, which certainly wasn't pleasing on the eye, but it got the job done. Let's be honest, Kennedy isn't a top five fighter and neither will he ever hold the UFC Middleweight belt. He probably isn't even good enough to fight for the title! I want to praise Tim Kennedy more, but I'm struggling to do so. Bisping was awful Wednesday night, that's a given, but Kennedy did nothing that really impressed me apart from the smothering ground work.

I hope this isn't the demise of Michael Bisping. But if it is, then maybe a send off fight in Manchester, England, would be a fitting end for the British hero.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'm impressed by it as I thought Bisping would win. I feel Bisping may perhaps be on the decline, but a more likely scenario is that Kennedy simply had a better game plan on fight night.


ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

I think it showed how good Kennedy is with a hint of Bisping being a bit rusty. Bisping needs to add more dimensions to his striking. He is a great striker, but Kennedy did not fear getting hit. Kennedy grinded out a solid win, and he looks like he is ready for whomever is coming up next.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

K.J. Noons stopping Sam Stout in 30 seconds was nuts. Dustin Poirier busted up Akira Corassani's nose with a huge uppercut that was perfectly placed. Other than that, it was a solid night of fights. At least it was until Tim Kennedy and Michael Bisping laid out a turd of a main event. Bisping must have been really affected by his time off because he looked really bad. He was sleep-walking through the whole thing. Kennedy did what he had to in order to win, but that was about it. That was not a good fight at all. Most of the other fights helped save the night, though.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Bisping just got out-maneuvered, and although I've never seen him as an elite talent, this is one of his worst losses to date. Kennedy held him down and basically imposed his will on the ground and beat him up on the feet - Kennedy isn't a guy I would call elite either but his performance was dominant. Bisping needs to go back to the drawing board and figure out what he's doing wrong before he winds up as a Bellator champion. He's a great fighter but he really needs to work out his game.


CASH NORMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Kennedy beating Bisping does not make him the next "big thing" at middleweight. Kennedy displayed elementary striking and deplorable footwork (his signature fighting style) in his victory over Bisping. Kennedy won because he was able to score takedowns and wet blanket Bisping to gain the victory. First, what other fighter would Kenmedy be able to hold down and grind out in that fashion within the division? Secondly, would you want or pay to see it?

In the same way I do not believe Kennedy is now a top competitor at middleweight, I do not think Bisping's skills have declined. Although I am not and have never been a fan of Bisping, he obviously had an off night. Bisping was tentative and did not utilize the footwork and crisp volume boxing he's employed in previous fights. He should have been able to elude Kennedy and land punches at will, but unfortunately was not able to do so on Wednesday night. The fight was just a poor performance by Bisping, with Kennedy being able to capitalize on the situation.

[Michael Bisping art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]


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