3 Reasons Michael Bisping Is the Fight All Middleweights Want

Adam Hill — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:58:46 -0400

It seems like everyone wants an opportunity to punch Michael Bisping in the face.

"The Count" has been a permanent fixture in the UFC after he knocked out Josh Haynes to win the third season of The Ultimate Fighter way back in 2006.

This can be equally attributed to both his gifts inside the cage and polarizing demeanor.

When Bisping officially made the drop down to middleweight in 2008, he positioned himself as one of the biggest personalities in the division.

Since then, "The Count" has fought the cream of the crop at 185, and in the process, he has become one of the most recognizable faces in the UFC.

While Bisping recovers from eye surgery, a bevy of marquee fighters have started lining up to get the next shot at him. Cung Le, Costa Philippou, Luke Rockhold and Rich Franklin are just a few that have been begging for the opportunity to take on the loud-mouthed Brit.

Obviously, there is no shortage of talent willing to square off with Bisping, and these are the biggest reasons why.

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Michael Bisping vs. Cung Le Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Clinton Bullock — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:58:56 -0400

Mixed martial arts middleweight contender Michael Bisping is one of the UFC’s more popular fighters. He has been a divisive character since his UFC debut in 2006. The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner is one of the MMA organization’s longest employed fighters and has headlined numerous UFC events.

After his last win at UFC 159 against Alan Belcher, the Englishman was called out by international superstar and former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le. Since April 2013, the two fighters have expressed a great interest in facing each other in the near future.

In an interview with ESPN, regarding Bisping, Le stated:

That would be a great fight for the fans. That would be a big fight [against Bisping]. But I’m not the one to make that decision. Whether I’m at the top of that list for the fight or on the bottom, it ultimately comes down to who Joe Silva and the UFC decide who we fight.

Both combatants possess a unique skill set and a profound knowledge of the fight game. Since both Bisping and Le prefer the stand-up game, a fight of this magnitude has all the trimmings to be one for the ages.

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Bleacher Report - Michael Bisping

3 Reasons Michael Bisping Is the Fight All Middleweights Want

Michael Bisping vs. Cung Le Head-to-Toe Breakdown