In Saturday’s UFC 159 co-main event, two dynamic middleweights are featured when Michael Bisping takes on Alan Belcher.
While both fighters possess outstanding hand speed and quickness, Bisping holds the overall striking advantage and will use it on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
Belcher is certainly no slouch on his feet. “The Talent” has nine career knockout victories, and has punished opponents who lacked top-tier striking arsenals as he recently showed in a technical knockout victory over Rousimar Palhares.
Bisping, however, has the footwork to avoid Belcher’s power and the accuracy to pepper Belcher from the outside.
Bisping’s only noticeable flaw has been his chin, which has shown vulnerability against Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson. Both Belfort and Henderson are known as some of the hardest-hitting middleweights in the division. Belcher’s punching power, on the other hand, is of no comparison, as he requires an accumulation of strikes to finish his opponents.
In a recent interview with Studio MMA, Bisping discussed his thoughts how he matches up against Belcher. “I think I match up very well,” Bisping said. “I think I have better wrestling and I think I have better Jiu Jitsu. He doesn’t really have incredible knockout power, so I am not overly concerned with that.”
In his recent fight against his friend Chael Sonnen, Bisping admitted to having difficulty finding added motivation since there was a lack of animosity between him and his opponent. Saturday against Belcher, however, Bisping will have no such problem.
“[Belcher] is a very irritating individual,” Bisping said, describing his dislike for Belcher.
With his clear striking advantage and added motivation, Bisping should have little difficulty cruising to a unanimous decision victory Saturday night.
