Bisping vs. Leben: Will UFC 89 give us another conspiracy theory?

I was inspired to write this article after re-watching UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion. Thank you UFC & Spike TV for re-airing these cards for free! Perhaps I didn't watch it closely enough the first time. The fight that caught my attention the most, as it was for most people, was Michael Bisping's controversial split decision win over Matt Hamill. Upon watching Bisping's hand being raised in victory, before a raucous English crowd, the only thought that came to mind was: conspiracy theory.

The fighters dont get off scot free. Whenever you let it go to a decision you leave it in another man's hands. Although I couldn't believe how cocky Bisping was after his split-decision win. How could two of the three judges award two of the three rounds to "The Count?" At least one judge had the sense to score the fight 30-27 in favor of "The Hammer." Matt was ferocious and pushed the pace. He bloodied Bisping while standing and took him down numerous times. This is all I wish to say about that fight. It’s in the past and hopefully if you’re reading this article you have seen the fight. Everyone has their opinion of what happened. Ironically Bisping went on to lose a controversial split decision to Rashad Evans.

Recently, we have been hearing that the next season of TUF will be "United States vs. England." The UFC has been unbelievably successful with this show, and it has been the primary vehicle driving them to higher ratings and notoriety. Most are rightly assuming that the coaches will be Bisping for England and Dan Henderson for the United States. The UFC is looking to set the winner up for a title fight with Anderson Silva.

All of this is great marketing work and as a business major I am applauding its every move. England is the "gateway country" to opening up the European market and this will certainly help it in its vision for smoking the competition worldwide. The only thing standing in its way is Chris Leben. Is he really standing that tall though? Leben, while a scrappy fighter, doesn’t seem to be fitting into the bigger picture for the UFC. He is popular but probably not popular enough when he gets into the Octagon against Bisping in Birmingham, England.

I am sure Bisping will find a way to pull out a win, one way or another. This win will allow him to continue his ascent up the middleweight ladder. Hopefully, he can climb that ladder on his own, without having it propped up for him.