UFC on Fox 2: Breaking Down Sonnen vs. Bisping

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In 2011, the UFC hosted its first live event on Fox with the UFC Heavyweight Championship on the line. After nearly an hour of speculation and prediction by Dana White and Brock Lesnar, we saw Junior Dos Santos crumple Cain Velazquez in a mere 64 seconds. Dana White seemed content with the short fight saying, "The bottom line is we did our introductory fight on FOX. Dude, this is what they ordered seven years of. This is it. This is what you get." However, many fans were left wanting more.

Lucky for them, they will get what they wished for tonight with UFC on Fox 2.

There is one matchup on the UFC on Fox 2 fight card which is critical to the middleweight title picture. Dana White has confirmed that the winner of Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping will fight current middleweight champion Anderson Silva. With this key matchup only hours away, let's dive in to what is and what may be tonight.

Michael Bisping

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Michael Bisping was scheduled to face Demian Maia, but with Mark Munoz's injury and a reshuffling of the card, Bisping is now slated against Chael Sonnen in a number one contender's matchup.

Bisping has shown versatility in his recent fights in his potent striking and ability to transition to defensive wrestling when threatened. While Bisping will have the striking advantage over Chael Sonnen, it is imperative that he transition smoothly from kickboxing, to clinch work, to defensive wrestling, and ultimately jujitsu. Chael will look to close the distance and bully Bisping in the clinch in effort to get him to the ground and dominate him.

Bisping will be taken down by Chael, but if he can create distance with his butterfly guard, sweep, and get back to his feet, he may be able to outpoint Sonnen with his stalwart kickboxing

Chael Sonnen

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Chael has said that he will never cross paths with Anderson Silva again. Then again, Chael has also said he has never lost a fight. He claims he is, "Undefeated and undisputed," saying, "48 men have tried to take me, and 48 men have made a slip. 49 will be Michael Bisping when I put him on his lips." Judge Chael by his actions in the cage, as his actions outside the cage are as decipherable as a paradox wrapped in an enigma.

Sonnen will look to close the distance on Bisping, stalking him, and throwing hands simply to set up a takedown. On the ground, Chael is unmatched. In his last fight he dismantled Brian Stann with power and grace. Chael recognized Stann's subtle weaknesses and capitalized on them immediately and effectively.

Sonnen recognized that Stann favored defending with his left knee in half-guard, so he passed on Stann's right. Chael's detail oriented grappling combined with his crushing strength, breaks any and all opponents in his path—excluding Anderson Silva.

Look for Sonnen to close the distance against Bisping, put him on his back, and expose the weaknesses in Bisping's butterfly guard. If Chael is successful, he should be able to win a dominant decision against Bisping.

 

 

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