Though UFC 141: Lesnar vs Overeem will feature the final UFC bout to be broadcast on SpikeTV, this event will be the final event from the promotion to be presented in its entirety. As an added bonus for fans witnessing this final event on the channel that has been home to the promotion for several years the UFC will only for the second time pit the two opposing coaches against each other as the main event in the season finale when fan favorite and eccentric personality Jason "Mayhem" Miller takes on TUF3 winner and UFC veteran Michael "The Count" Bisping in what will also be the third non-title main event that is scheduled to be contested within five-five minute rounds. As mentioned this is only the second time opposing coaches will square off as part of the show's finale with the first being the grudge match between former Lightweight kingpins B.J. Penn and Jens Pulver at the TUF5 Finale. Though the relationship between the UFC and SpikeTV seems to have soured since the promotion signed a multi-year deal with major network TV broadcaster FOX, Miller vs Bisping is almost guaranteed to end the deal with a bang.
Main Event: Jason "Mayhem" Miller (23-7-0(1)) vs Michael "The Count" Bisping (21-3-0)
The main event will pit two Middleweight veterans and polarizing figures of the sport against each other when the eccentric multi-promotional veteran Jason Miller takes on TUF3 winner and contender Michael Bisping. Miller comes into this bout on a two fight win streak that includes a Rnd1 TKO over Tim Stout and a Rnd1 Submission over Japanese MMA and PirdeFC legend Kazushi Sakuraba at Dream 16. Bisping comes into this bout on a three fight win streak that includes a Unanimous Decision over former IFL Middleweight champion Dan Miller, a Unanimous Decision over Japanese MMA star Yoshihiro Akiyama, and a controversial Rnd2 TKO over Jorge Rivera at UFC 127: Penn vs Fitch. This bout is scheduled for five-five minute rounds continuing with the new arrangement for non-title main event bouts. In this bout, many analysts are seeing this as a classic "striker vs grappler" match up with Bisping being a technical striker and Miller being an exceptional grappler, though it may not be that black and white for this match up. For the advantage in the stand up, Bisping is a clear favorite. With a technical boxing and Muay Thai game that has has earned him thirteen out of twenty-one victories by way of (T)KO and training with top strikers like former Light Heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson and perennial Heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo . Though Miller is seen more as a grappler, his own striking game has been improving while training with elite trainer Rafael Cordeiro who has trained elite strikers and champions like Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, and Mauricio Rua. With plenty of time off to hone his skills and train with other elite fighters Miller may be more dangerous in the stand up than many give him credit for. Until they meet in the cage and Miller's striking game is tested Bisping will be the favorite in the stand up. For the advantage when grappling the favorite will be Miller. Though underrated by many Miller was recently this year awarded his black belt in BJJ and has earned fourteen out of his twenty-three wins by submission. Training with elite grapplers like 2x ADCC champion Fabricio Werdum and powerful former collegiate wrestler Mark Munoz, Miller has developed an aggressive grappling game combined with improved strength that even brought him close to choking out elite BJJ black belt Jake Shields when fighting for the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight title. Though Bisping is not ranked in BJJ, he has developed a strong counter-grappling game able to avoid and defend takedowns and also able to get back to his feet when taken down. With an aggressive grappling game Miller will be the favorite on the ground.
An added "X" factor could favor Bisping in this bout. Mayhem has not competed since September of last year due to issues while under contract with Strikeforce where neither CBS or Showtime wanted to present him after the "Strikeforce Nashville Brawl". With thirteen months away from action Miller could be susceptible to "ring-rust" and could be slow to start in this bout. Though with recent fighters like Rashad Evans and Josh Koscheck proving that extended lay-offs don't always lead to poor performances, Miller could follow their lead in training hard and staying in fight shape like he always does. If ring-rust does play a factor in this bout, then Bisping will be a heavy favorite from the start.
No comments:
Post a Comment