UFC 148: Michael Bisping Chose Tim Boetsch Because He Wants a Title Shot

It's almost inconceivable that Michael Bisping hasn't received a title shot. He's been around the UFC forever, and he's easily the most marketable European star in the company. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that he's one of the most marketable stars in the company, period.

I understand the reasoning. Bisping always seems to lose the big one just as he nears title contention, as witnessed in his losses to Rashad Evans, Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen. Those were the big fights, the ones that could have earned Bisping his long-awaited chance at gold, and he lost them.

The loss to Sonnen was different, though. Bisping put up an admirable performance in a fight that was much closer than anyone expected going in, and the loss didn't hurt him in the way a typical defeat would. He's still close to that elusive championship fight and a win over Tim Boetsch at July's UFC 148 might finally be the thing that puts him over the top.

Bisping told MMAjunkie Radio that he chose Boetsch over a potential bout with Cung Le for that very reason:

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"Because Tim Boetsch is coming off a great win over Yushin Okami, it just made more sense and was the more appealing matchup," Bisping today told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "It's also a tougher matchup for me, but I want to win that next fight and stake a claim to that title shot.

"I think beating Tim Boetsch rather than Cung Le gives me more grounds to do that."

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Boetsch has experienced plenty of success since moving to middleweight. There isn't a soul in the world who can tell you he doesn't deserve to be mentioned as a top-10 fighter, not after his mauling of Yushin Okami.

Bisping made a wise choice in facing "The Barbarian"—as much as we love seeing Cung Le fight, beating him wouldn't do much to advance Bisping's career prospects. At this point in time, that's all Bisping should consider when deciding whether or not to accept a fight.

Boetsch is a tough dude, but I fully expect Bisping to beat him by decision and then go on to face the winner of the Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen rematch later this year.