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Who wins the Michael Bisping vs. Cung Le fight at UFC Fight Night 48, and how?
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST
I always go for a Michael Bisping win via unanimous decision, and there's no reason for me to change that. In terms of contender opportunities, Bisping is in the last chance saloon, and another defeat will end his long held ranking as a top 10 UFC middleweight. This is a must win fight, and ideally he does it via TKO inside a round or two. With a wide ranging arsenal of strikes at his disposal, Cung Le will always have a chance in this fight, but it's a big ask for a 42 year old who hasn't fought in almost two years. For me the winner is Bisping by comfortable decision.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Bisping wins a close decision, but I can't help but root for Le. I think it's a very close fight, but that Bisping has more offensive output, and that gets the judges to give him the rounds. Le will probably do more damage, but Bisping should throw more strikes and get that nebulous "Octagon control" because of it.
KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Bisping wins as he is a better all around fighter than Le. I have seen recent pictures of Le and he looks like he's in great shape and ready to go, but I think Bisping will impose the better gameplan and win a decision.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Cung Le wins and continues his one fight a year dominance, like The Undertaker before the streak ended at Wrestlemania. Bisping is past his chances to become relevant again, except as a stepping stone for fighters who want to crack the top seven or eight in the UFC. Le is going to knock out ol' pillow fists and wind up in a horrible matchup for his next fight.
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
This really is a must win for Bisping, there is nowhere left for him to go if he loses. He will be up against it facing Cung Le; even though Le hasn't been active for nearly two years, he will give Bisping plenty to think about as a southpaw with huge knockout power.
Though I think inactivity will hold key to this fight, Bisping last fought in April and will be in good shape as always. And being two years out of the Octagon, I'm not sure Le will have five rounds in him. Le has only gone the distance once in his MMA career, and that was over three rounds.
This fight could really go either way, If Bisping gets sloppy and wants to trade punches early in the fight, he might be picking himself off the mat. But if he can take the fight past the second round, I fully expect him to out strike Le, wear him down, and earn himself a late stoppage.
Prediction: Michael Bisping TKO RD 4
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