Michael Bisping vs. Thales Leites: A Full Head-to-Toe Breakdown

The next UFC Fight Night hits Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday with a top-10 middleweight main event.

No. 9-ranked contender Michael Bisping takes on No. 10-ranked Thales Leites as the veterans seek a final run up the middleweight ladder toward a potential title shot.

Bisping has exchanged wins and losses in his last nine fights. He is coming off a solid performance against CB Dollaway at UFC 186. Will he finally be able to win back-to-back fights for the first time since 2011?

Opposite Bisping will be Leites. The Brazilian is on an eight-fight win streak with five straight wins since returning to the UFC. He has added excellent striking to his game, and it has him performing better than ever. A ninth straight win would have to make him a serious title contender at 185 pounds.

So, who holds the edge at UFC Fight Night 72?

That is what we will break down. Let's take a look at the middleweight matchup coming your way this weekend.

Striking

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Leites' improvement with his striking has been one of the best middleweight surprises in recent times. It has brought him back to the UFC and into big fights.

The former title contender was always primarily a jiu-jitsu threat, but now middleweights have to be concerned with his striking too.

On the technical argument, Bisping holds the edge. He is a volume striker and loves to keep a high pace. Bisping's output may deter a little as he attempts to avoid the power of Leites. Power is the great equalizer in this matchup.

Power alone does not give Leites the edge. The Brit has better overall striking, but he needs to avoid getting clipped by a powerful counter.

Edge: Bisping

Grappling

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This is clearly Leites' category.

He is one of the best jiu-jitsu practitioners in this division. However, this won't be an easy fight for him to finish.

Luke Rockhold became the first person to ever submit Bisping, but don't expect that to become a trend. Bisping has good takedown defense to begin with, so even just getting him to the mat will be difficult for Leites. Once there, Bisping's work rate allows him to constantly get back to his feet.

While it may be a striker vs. grappler matchup on paper, Leites will struggle to have sustained success on the canvas. He holds the advantage, but he won't easily dominate from the position.

Edge: Leites

X-Factors

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Bisping's X-Factor: The Eye

Bisping's eye is still a factor. It has been undeniable in his last couple of bouts, and it will be again on Saturday.

The damage to his right eye has made him less effective. He has not completely fallen off the map, but he never returned to the same level since that injury. Against power punchers, it is always a point to look at. Will he get caught by a punch he doesn't see coming?

Keep tabs on how often Leites attacks that side of Bisping.

Leites' X-Factor: Punching Power

As mentioned previously, power is the great equalizer.

Leites won't win on points if he chooses to stand and exchange with Bisping. The Brit is too active and technical and has a high rate of output. The pressure put on by Bisping will cause Leites to have lower totals, and he won't be seen favorably in the eyes of the judges.

However, the Brazilian has power. He has the ability to land the fight-altering punch. It may just rock Bisping enough to allow Leites to work his grappling, or it may end the fight. Either way, his power is a threat.

Prediction

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I love the work Leites has put in since returning to the UFC, but Bisping will do enough to get the win Saturday.

The difference in the fight will be the length at five rounds. Bisping's tireless work will drain Leites. The Brazilian has often slowed, and even gassed, in his previous outings. It makes this a favorable fight for Bisping if he can push the pace.

Bisping's output on the feet will prevent Leites from being an effective fighter. He will be forced into being reactionary. The British striker also works the body well. Early on, we will see Bisping slowly and methodically sap the energy of Leites.

I do not think this goes to the judges.

When Leites is tired in the late rounds, the pace will finally break him. Bisping will put together a consistent flurry of strikes to get the referee to stop the action, resulting in another late stoppage for Bisping.

Prediction: Bisping defeats Leites by TKO in the fifth round.