Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson II: A Head-to-Toe Breakdown
It's on. Michael Bisping will square off against Dan Henderson once again. This time for the middleweight championship of the world.
Dana White joined the Fox Sports booth following UFC 200 to make the announcement. The date and venue are yet to be announced, but White said they are eyeing Manchester, Bisping's hometown, as the city.
Their first meeting gave us one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history. Bisping got caught by an "H-bomb" and went stiff. Henderson followed it up with an unnecessary, but memorable, flying forearm. It became legend as it happened on the big stage of UFC 100.
More than 100 pay-per-view events later, the middleweight landscape has changed. Bisping stands atop the division after a stunning knockout of Luke Rockhold at UFC 199, and on the same card Henderson put Hector Lombard to sleep.
It seems fate had a plan.
Now in his first title defense, Bisping gets a shot at redemption. What has changed and who holds the edge? This is your early look at the head-to-toe breakdown for this vital middleweight encounter.
Striking
1 of 5
Everyone who steps inside the cage against Henderson has to be careful of eating the big right hand, but he does have a few other tools. His right hand wouldn't be as effective if he didn't.
Even still, he is largely one-dimensional. Bisping is not.
Bisping is a high-volume striker who showed his power in the win over Rockhold. Bisping works everything into his fights. It's a large reason he is so exciting to watch in the cage. Punches, kicks, knees and elbows all work together in fluid combinations.
The Count lands 4.42 significant strikes per minute according to FightMetric.
Bisping is a complete striker with better tools. It's no contest who the better man on the feet is from a technical perspective.
Edge: Bisping
Grappling
2 of 5
Wait, Bisping with the grappling advantage over Henderson? That can't be right, can it?
Yes, it is.
There are a few things to note about why Bisping has the edge in grappling: Henderson's offensive skills have diminished, Bisping's defensive skills are some of the best in the UFC and Bisping is more apt to be the one attempting a takedown.
Henderson primarily is a striker. He'll grapple out of desperation if need be, but he prefers to stand at range and look for the KO blow. Even if he did attempt to take Bisping down, that is much easier said than done. It's not just Henderson's technical skills that have diminished, but his physical ones as well. He's not a spring chicken.
Bisping's wrestling is still underrated, and Henderson's defensive wrestling hasn't been anything to write home about for years. Do not be shocked if Bisping changes levels and puts Henderson on his back in the first round of this fight.
Edge: Bisping
Submissions
3 of 5
There isn't likely to be a submission in this fight, but if there is it'll come from the Brit.
Bisping and Henderson both do not predicate their styles on jiu-jitsu. It is almost a last resort for them. They much rather would like to stand and trade.
Between the two, Bisping has the edge here as well. He's got better submissions to work with and has more mobility to go after them—if that is what he chooses to do. No one is expecting Henderson's hip to quickly shift as he goes for an armbar or triangle. If anything, it would be like watching a fight on half-speed.
The champion has more options, and thus gets the edge.
Edge: Bisping
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X-Factors
4 of 5
Bisping's X-Factor: Fixing His Fatal Flaw
He made one big mistake at UFC 100 that led to his demise—he circled right into Henderson's power. Bisping should be able to easily fix that flaw, and if so, this fight may not be close. However, we won't know until the fight if that will be the case.
If Bisping continues to circle right into Henderson's strength it gives the former PRIDE champion more chances to land his one shot for glory.
Henderson's X-Factor: Durability
He's 45 years in age and has suffered several big blows in recent years. That's including both knockouts and shots that nearly knocked him out. Father Time catches up to everyone, and no matter how great his chin once was, it is most definitely no longer.
Given Bisping's recent show of power, it has to be questioned if he can't flatten Henderson in the rematch.
Henderson can still take a shot, but not to the degree he once could. That gives anyone, especially someone as talented as Bisping, greater odds to finish Henderson.
Prediction
5 of 5
This is a fight that had to be made given how UFC 199 played out. With the current slate of contenders coming off losses, mending injuries or dealing with other issues outside of the cage, it made too much sense.
But don't expect it to be close.
Bisping is much better than Henderson at this stage in their careers. He has the edge anywhere the fight takes place and has a bevy of options at his feet to topple Henderson. This is his redemption story. It will be written at home.
Bisping will score a takedown in the first round to tire out Henderson and to give him more to think about. From there the high-volume striking of the champion will touch up Henderson. The fight will exit the first five minutes, but it will be apparent they are not equals.
The champion finishes his work in the second as he rocks Henderson before finishing up with a flurry of ground and pound. It'll still be 2016 and Michael Bisping will still be our middleweight champion of the world.
No matter how crazy it may still seem.
Prediction: Bisping defeats Henderson by TKO in the second round
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