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UK SCENE: Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva break down from UFC 110, news briefs
Feb 28, 2010 - 3:05:31 PM UK SCENE: Michael Bisping vs. Wanderlei Silva break down from UFC 110, news briefs

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By: Chris Park, MMATorch U.K. Specialist

After months of hype and speculation over the stacked card that was heading down under – UFC 110 finally hit Sydney, Australia. The second fastest selling event in UFC history more than lived up to its billing as a host of star names competed at the Acer Arena.

Cain Velasquez and Ryan Bader took out veterans of their divisions, knocking out Minotauro Nogueira and Keith Jardine respectively. Local hero and huge underdog George Sotiropoulos upset the odds by claiming a lopsided Unanimous decision victory over Joe “Daddy” Stevenson.

The co-main event of the evening was one that most were looking forward to: Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva vs. Michael “The Count” Bisping.

After alot of trash talking in the week leading up to the fight that started at the press conference and spilled over onto the weigh ins, the two finally stared down inside the Octagon.

As referee Herb Dean called the fighters to the centre of the Octagon, Bisping held out his hand in respect, which Silva took.

The first round started with both fighters taking a fairly tentative approach. The odd jab and leg kick was thrown here and there. Approximately a minute in Bisping shot and got the takedown, but Silva instantly got back to his feet. Bisping got another take down before landing a knee as Silva made his way back to his feet.

Bisping was mixing up his defence very well switching from left to right and got another takedown. Wanderlei once again managed to get straight back to his feet but took a head kick for his troubles.

Bisping checked the leg kicks from Silva but they looked like they could start to have an effect. Silva landed on Bisping before the Brit landed a right of his own that sent Silva staggering backwards.

Twice more Bisping shot for a takedown but on both attempts they were stuffed by the Brazilian. As the round drew to a close Wanderlei attacked with a flurry of shots. Silva threw left hook to the chin which landed but it didn’t have too much weight behind it. The horn sounded for the end of the first.

Despite the late barrage Bisping had more success in the first 10-9 Bisping.

The second round began with Silva continuing to land his leg kicks. Bisping threw a kick which Silva caught and viciously kicked away his opponents standing leg. Silva swarmed on top of Bisping who once again showed a great defence from the bottom. Silva threw wildly from the top but couldn’t quite pin his opponent down.

Silva landed a kick to the body as Bisping worked his way back to his feet. Silva caught Bisping with a right hand as the two went at it. Bisping shot and slammed Silva to the canvas taking side control. Once again Silva scrambled and got back to his feet. Bisping landed a few stiff jabs while Silva landed a jab which knocked Bispings mouth piece sideways.

The Brit shot again and slammed Silva to the canvass. This time Silva hung on to an arm in guillotine and squeezed the neck of the Brit with all he had. Bisping managed to hang on for 15 seconds. That choke was in tight but Bisping managed to stay with it until the horn sounded for the end of the round.

A close fight so far and if Bisping had have completed his takedown and finished strong he may have stolen the round. I was already leaning towards Silva and the near submission at the end there confirmed it: 10-9 Silva.

Bisping looked like a man who was on the brink as he heavy breathed his way back to his corner. His team told him he was still ahead and that Silva was way more tired. As his corner discussed who was ahead training partner Quinton “Rampage” Jackson delivered some great advice “Mike- you wanna win this fight? Knock his ass out! You got it.”..........Priceless!

As the third and final round began both men looked hesitant to engage, Bisping landed a nice hook but took several more leg kicks. An accidental low kick on Silva slowed proceedings down but the two were soon back at it going back and forth with picking shots and kicks.

Bisping shot for two take downs but both were stuffed. Silva started to pick up the pace in a round that is about as even as they come as we enter the final 90 seconds.

An eye poke puts the breaks on things for a second time. The doctor asked Silva if he could see, then sent him right back out to finish the fight.

Silva came out swinging. Some huge shots whistled past the head of Bisping. The Brit threw a leg kick which Silva caught and swept for the second time in the fight. Bisping got right back to his feet. They traded for the final thirty seconds before Silva charged his opponent, as the sticks sounded, for the third round in a row.

Several shots landed in a flurry before a right hand to the neck dropped Bisping. He fell to the ground and took a few more before both the referee and the horn saved him for the second round in a row.

I’m not too sure Bisping would have survived if there was another ten seconds left in that round. He did well to stay in there until the end.

A very close round as they came to the rally but yet another late assault has an effect on the round. This one not only won Silva the round, most likely the fight too. 10-9 Silva.

A huge display of class and respect was shown as the two hugged and spoke afterwards. Even Rampage shook hands and embraced Silva as he came over to the Brits corner.

Bruce Buffer entered the Octagon and announced a 29-28 unanimous decision for “The Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva.

This result by no means sets Bisping back. As Joe Rogan said in their post-fight interview “This is not a setback. It’s just another fight. You’ll be back I’m sure better than ever.”

It was a very close fight with that late knockdown clinching it for Silva. Should Bisping have completed his takedown at the end of the second, and fished that round on a high, he could well have been the one to walk away with the win.

Silva was strong and finished all three rounds on a high. One thing that no one really picked up on before the fight was that it could be possible for Wanderlei to be a better fighter at 185. I’m not saying he is the best he has ever been, but it was most definitely the best version of Silva that we have seen in the UFC in recent years.

Yoshihiro Akiyama was originally due to face Silva on this card and was rumoured to be chalked in to face the winner of this fight. If the UFC do plan a new assault on the Japananese market then that showdown is a no-brainer.

At the post –fight press conference Dana White stated that Akiyama is desperate for the Wanderlei fight. That for me was as close to a fight confirmation that you can get. When this was all being said Michael Bisping piped up that he would also like to face Akiyama and that he would also like a rematch with Silva.

My fear here with Bisping is that he could end up being a marquee fighter if he tries to create what I always think of as “one off fights” a little like the Franklin vs. Silva fight was. Instead he should look at the other contenders at 185 and work his way up through the ranks. There are many great fights out there for him such as Belcher, Marquart, Okami, Sonnen and Maia. All of these would have implications on the Middleweight division.

In fact I would prefer to next see Bisping in with someone who will present a different style and challenge to his recent outings.

Looking back there are alot of positives that Bisping can take from this. He was very disciplined in his game plan and took a legend to the wire in three very close rounds. The majority were betting on a vicious KO in favour of Wanderlei and he thankfully did not suffer that fate.

The respect that these two showed each other once all was said and done was nice to see. Still showing his sense of humour Bisping added: “I’m off to Wanderlei’s party. Shame it’s in a gay bar! I guess he should have done some research first.”

OTHER NEWS IN BRIEF

-Marshall Zelaznik has this week stated that one UK UFC event for 2010 had been “locked down.” British fans have voiced their concern that no events have been scheduled for the UK even though shows are booked up for as far off as July. What remains to be seen is if this will be a Fight Night or a main card.

-BAMMA 2 aired last weekend and will continue its second series every Sunday night at 10pm on Bravo 2.

- Paul “Semtex” Daley has stated that he and best friend Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy will “NEVER” fight. Hardy challenges GSP for the title next month while a victory over Josh Koscheck could very well see “Semtex” being marked the next number 1 contender.

-British TUF: 10 Heavyweight James McSweeny will host a seminar in Essex, London on April 10.



Chris Park is the MMATorch UK Specialist. Please email any comments or questions to Chris at; mmatorchpark@gmail.com or look us up at http://www.facebook.com/mmatorchuk our new MMATorch Facebook home for UK Fans!