UFC 159 goes down this weekend and features a pivotal middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Alan Belcher. It has been well documented that both these fighters don’t like each other, so it will be entertaining to see their emotions unfold while inside the cage.
Bisping has always been an entertaining fighter to watch both inside and outside the cage. He is never shy to speak his mind, whether it’s about potential match ups or his fighter mentality. Sure, he has had some controversial moments, but when it’s time to fight, Bisping leaves it all inside the ring. Yet, he hasn’t been able to challenge for a title, which is unfortunate because he had a golden opportunity if he was able to defeat Vitor Belfort.
Bisping was unsuccessful, getting knocked out via head kick in the second round. It was later found that Belfort was on TRT, which Dana White has said on numerous occasions that he is against fighters using. Nevertheless, Bisping will look to rebound off this tough loss in hopes of putting his name back in the title talk mix.
Belcher has shown glimpses of promise in his UFC career. This was clearly evident when he faced Rousimar Palhares, who has proven to be one of the best leg lock specialists in the middleweight division. In the bout, Belcher played Palhares’s game, taking the fight to the ground and dominated positions. Belcher would end up getting a TKO, which was one of his best performances to date.
Despite this impressive win, Belcher simply looked flat in his next fight with Yushin Okami. Okami would control the grappling aspect and would derail Belcher’s momentum. He will need to rethink his strategy and tactics if he wants to come out with a win over the always durable Bisping.
Words have picked up between these two, and it appears that the animosity is genuine. One thing is fore sure; it should make for a compelling middleweight bout, where emotions are high and the stakes have never been bigger for either fighter.
