@trinidypicks: UFC: BELFORT vs BISPING

"If Michael Bisping wins, he gets the shot." - Dana White1

Last time Bisping was in such a position, Chael Sonnen grabbed the title shot. Michael Bisping felt robbed of the opportunity along with many of his fans.  Will he allow Vitor Belfort to walk away with a title shot he deserves?

Michael Bisping is one of those fighters that although you want to save him from the eventual beat down that he will take from Anderson 'The Spider' Silva, you want to see him at least get the shot.  For years Bisping has risen up in the ranks of the middleweight class only to fall short of the top.  This fight with Vitor Belfort will prove to show what Bisping is really made of.

"If Bisping can beat Belfort -- that's a tough fight for Mike -- he deserves the shot at Anderson." - Dana White1

Vitor Belfort is a great opponent to test Bisping.  Belfort as of recent, has proven he can bang it out with the best. With exception to the devastating front kick delivered by none other than Anderson Silva himself.  Even with the jump in divisions (I'm guessing for the sake of the company?), Belfort has shown that he can take on the bigger guys.  His loss to Jon Jones wasn't at all disappointing, that performance alone gave me hope that one day Jon Jones will too lose the keys to his kingdom. Might Chael Sonnen be the one to make that happen?  "Can Sonnen snatch the candy from the baby? " - great headline for my next post, another time... moving on.

"The octagon is a Holy place for me." - Vitor Belfort2

The mentality and thought process of Belfort is impressive. He is focused with clarity.  Come fight day these qualities will be sure to help him.

 I take a closer look at his performance with Jon Jones, I wonder what Bisping can do to challenge Vitor?  Being shorter and 20lbs+ lighter than Jones, its possible that Bisping offers Belfort a shot to land a finish. Belfort was unable to secure the armbar on Jones and knowing that he was just so damn close, I think will make him want to go back and fix whereever he went wrong.  Which makes me believe that his ground game will definitely be above par. His boxing is feared among many as his reputation precedes him.

 So where can it go all wrong for the 'Phenom'?  In the clinch maybe? Bisping vs. Sonnen is a great example as to what we might see at 'UFC: Belfort vs Bisping'.  I would think that Bisping's strategy will be to avoid getting his chin tested by pinning Belfort to the cage and working the body or just plain avoid the Phenom fury.

"The longer the fight goes, he'll start turning into a walking punching bag." - Michael Bisping3

Can you be a little more obvious Bisping?  If there's one thing about Bisping I admire, it's his will to be on top. No pun intended.  His strategy is to wait out the rounds until Belfort gasses out.  Then BAM! Put on a (kick)boxing clinic and punch his way to the title shot.  Right.  I can see it happening.  Not to say that Vitor doesn't have the cardio for a 5 round fight, more like - Yes, if Michael Bisping is going to win it seems reasonable that it will be via his boxing skills. Which were very apparent in his fight against Jason Miller.

Bisping was able to recognize the openings and batter away at Miller.  If Bisping can manage to steer clear of Vitor Belfort's stunners, we could see a decision win here.  I tread lightly as this will be a 5 round battle.  Anything can happen in the split second.  I can't imagine that Bisping will submit Belfort, I find that scenario highly unlikely.  A Bisping win via TKO/KO?  I don't think he has the power in his punch to weaken Belfort's knees.  Which leads to the only way I think possible for Bisping to defeat Belfort - Decision.

@trinidypicks: The Phenom vs. The Count

The old school fan in me wants Vitor's hand raised.  Then I think of how that would affect the middleweight division.  Considering Vitor's loss (almost a year ago) to Silva, he looked as though he was 'out of his league.'  I guess anyone standing opposite to Anderson Silva is out of their league.  But since then has come out hard in his battles.

Vitor will have to win this fight in amazing fashion for anyone to think he stands another shot with Silva.  Whereas with Bisping, even if he wins by decision - he will get the title shot.  There is so much more pressure on Bisping to win this fight.  It's that pressure that will motivate him to attack with all his will.  This might just be Bisping's last drive to the title shot.  Right now, he seems to be the only one with the Middleweight Championship gold in his sights.

I got Bisping for DEC in my sights.

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ref.

(1.refer to Yahoo! Sports post at the following: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ufc-155-clears-middleweight-title-picture-bisping-gets-111700900--mma.html;_ylt=A2KLOzI.ieFQGXAAGKjQtDMD
2. refer to UFC.com : http://www.ufc.ca/media/ui-warrior-belfort 
3. refer to mmasky.com:  http://www.mmasky.com/2012/11/28/michael-bisping-readies-for-vitor-belfort-aims-to-avoid-dubious-distinction/)