3 Reasons Michael Bisping Doesn't Stand a Chance Against Anderson Silva

In a recent interview with FightHubTV, UFC middleweight Michael Bisping actually thinks he matches up well with 185-pound juggernaut Anderson Silva, giving himself a real chance of winning.  

While Bisping has had some impressive performances en route to a 21-3 professional record, there are few fans who can honestly say they think "The Count" would legitimately be able to test Silva. 

Here are three reasons why Bisping doesn't stand a chance against Anderson SIlva. 

Level of Competition

Bisping does have one of the best records in the UFC, so the fact that he has not even been close to a title shot yet indicates something: he has not beaten the best middleweights in the world.  

The best opponents Bisping has defeated in his career have been a very inconsistent Chris Leben and a once incredibly overrated Yoshihiro Akiyama. 

Other notable fights include wins over Dan Miller and Jorge Rivera and losses to Wanderlei Silva and Dan Henderson, with the latter coming via one of the most embarrassing knockouts of all time.  

Long story short, Bisping has lost to the only high-level opponents he has faced (the other loss was against Rashad Evans at light heavyweight), so why would that change now?

Bisping Is a Striker

Bisping is a decent boxer with good cardio, and he actually has 13 knockouts in his 21 career wins.  

He is good at making his opponents fight at his pace and utilize a stick-and-move type of strategy when the fight is standing. 

However, let's not forget what has happened every time Silva has faced a striker.  

Remember who "The Spider" bumped up to light heavyweight to face Forrest Griffin? What about when he fought Nate Marquardt? 

How about when Vitor Belfort was going to give Anderson the toughest challenge of his UFC career? 

The bottom line is that Silva's striking is a cut above the rest, so Bisping would be no different. Realistically, he would be lucky to make it out of the second round.

The Middleweight Title Picture

A big reason Mayhem does not stand a chance against Silva is because he is never going to face him. 

For one, outspoken middleweight Chael Sonnen is going to be the next one to get a shot at Anderson, and that does not seem like it is going to happen before June. 

While we're on the subject of Sonnen, it is no sure thing that the Brazilian gets past the former two-time All-American collegiate wrestler for a second time, given the way their first fight played out. 

For the sake of this argument though, let's say Silva does successfully defend his title again.

It is realistic to think that the next fighter to get a piece of Silva will be waiting in line until the final quarter of 2012.  

That essentially guarantees that Bisping will have to beat at least one more opponent if he gets past Jason Miller at the TUF 14 finale. 

Many are skeptical that will even happen, given that is has been quite a while, if ever, that Bisping has fought an opponent with Miller's constant aggression and high-level jiu-jitsu.  

Even if Bisping avoids an upset on December 3, it is difficult to see him defeating a top 10 fighter like Vitor Belfort, or guys like Brian Stann or Mark Munoz.