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Wanderlei Silva vs. Michael Bisping is one of those fights that I can envision ending in either 15 seconds or 15 minutes. Silva's not the beast he was in Pride, but he's shown he still has power and the ability to overwhelm at times. It's doubtful that he'll change things up this time, so I expect to see him put on a show and push the action.
I don't think Bisping is as bad as his detractors make him out to be, but in his fight against Dan Henderson he didn't use a good strategy (circle away from the power hand next time) and it led to him getting highlight reeled. In other fights, though, he's been able to pick away at opponents and avoid taking damage to take a decision. Bisping seems more well-rounded but I think Silva will swarm him early and get an early KO.
CORY DEBAR, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I will go with Wanderlei Silva. He is more experienced and has a lot to prove as of late. He is definitely a legend in the sport, but I believe he has to exercise some personal demons and go out and win this bout by opposing his will like the days of old.
Many MMA fans believe Bisping still has a lot to prove against some of the top fighters in his weight class. He has rubbed a lot of people wrong with his trash talk and, regardless of what he says, the knockout against Henderson still has to be somewhere in the back of his mind.
ALVIN BENJAMIN CARTER III, MMATORCH SPECIALIST
Wanderlei Silva needs this one, and I am in his corner. "The Axe Murder" is eager to show the world that he is still in the mix, and I think his agressive instincts will prove dangerous against Bisping. The fight might go the score cards, but if Silva stops Bisping it will probably be in the late second or early third round.
ADAM SCHWARTZBARD, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I actually think Silva could have a slight career resurrection at 185, and I like him to knock Bisping out in the 2nd round.
LANE BRADFORD, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I, in no way, see a submission. Bisping coming off an impressive win against Dennis Kang faces off against a debuting Wanderlei Silva at 185 pounds. If Silva can make this weight and not be drained in doing it. I see Silva being way too strong and powerful for Bisping. I think Silva is better at Bisping in every part of the game. I believe Silva will actually prefer to stand and bang and end up with a TKO in the 1st round.
ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Silva vs Bisping: In his prime, Silva would have knocked out Bisping as brutally as Henderson did, and he would have done it quicker, too. I don't see that happening now. On the other hand, I don't see Bisping dancing away from danger all-night and out-pointing Silva like he did Chris Leben. In close rounds with infrequent bursts of action, Silva's advantage in power will make the difference. He'll have Bisping in trouble at least once and win the decision.
BJORN HANSEN, MMATORCH SPECIALIST
It's official. I'm stuck reminiscing through the Pride Glory days, and there's no one that represents that era better than the Axe Murderer, Wanderlei Silva.
Because both Silva and his opponent Michael Bisping have recently been on the wrong end of frighteningly devastating knockouts, you have to expect someone will end up dreaming of flying platypuses and heavy-handed boxing kangaroos.
Bisping can use his evasiveness and high-volume strikes in an attempt to wear what may be an exhausted and dehydrated Wanderlei. Before this happens, though, I (hope to) see Bisping taking a nap down under.
Silva by first RKO.
(Check back for part two featuring another batch of picks on Silva-Bisping from another group of MMATorch contributors. We'll also run a two part Roundtable on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez and some undercard fights.)
[Wanderlei Silva art credit Cory Gould (c) MMATorch]
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