Michael Bisping: Does The Punishment Fit The Crime?

Back at UFC 127 (February 27, 2011), Michael “The Count” Bisping suffered one of the more memorable meltdowns in promotional history.

Not only did the “The Ultimate Fighter” season three winner deliver an intentional knee to the face of a downed Jorge Rivera, but he continued to unleash his frustration after the fight had been waved off; stomping over to Rivera’s side of the cage and launching a load of phlegm at his cornermen.

It was a disgraceful moment for the British star, and a clear low point in a colorful career.

Following the outrageous spectacle, UFC president Dana White voiced his disgust, and assured that Bisping would be properly penalized for his actions.

Here’s where things become questionable.

According to insiders, as punishment for his actions, Bisping didn’t receive his win bonus for the bout. The precise size of Bisping’s win bonus however, still remains a mystery. Multiple reports indicate bonus numbers likely hovered around the $100,000 mark, though that has yet to be confirmed.

And that’s just about the extent of the damage for Bisping.

No suspension followed “The Count”, in fact, White and company seemed to have completely forgotten about the incident.

Now, in a surprising twist, we’re learning that not only did White handle the “spituation” with extreme leniency (anyone remember what happened to Paul Daley when he fired off an illegal punch at Josh Koscheck?), but he even seems to be rewarding the outspoken Brit.

How, you ask?

How about more mainstream television time courtesy of another coaching stint on the Spike reality show “The Ultimate Fighter?"

That’s right; Bisping will return to the outlet that initially brought him to prominence in 2006, and which again boosted the outspoken Englishman’s exposure in 2009, when he coached the ninth season of “TUF” opposite Dan Henderson.

UFC brass just made the official announcement, which confirmed early rumors: Michael Bisping will indeed coach the fourteenth season of “TUF”, opposite fellow reality television personality Jason “Mayhem” Miller (whom you might recognize as the host of MTV’s “Bully Beatdown”).

I understand the importance of Michael Bisping’s marketability overseas and what it means for expanding into the English MMA scene, but is this the proper way to treat anyone who stoops to such an unprofessional level?

In closing, I pose two questions:

Does Michael Bisping’s “punishment” fit the crime?

Is zero suspension, the denial of an unknown win bonus, and a second coaching run on Spike’s “The Ultimate Fighter” series adequate punishment for intentionally kneeing a downed opponent, and spitting on their cornermen minutes later?