Do you remember the seminal moment that was UFC 100? Because the UFC sure hopes you do. It is late 2016 and TUF 9 and the Revolutionary War never ended. Looks like we're going to run back "the punch heard 'round the world." How perfect the stage has set up that Michael Bisping, the unexpected king, would have such an unusual and unexpected first title defense. Words like "deserving" or "next in line" get thrown in this scenario, but it is tough to find too many people who aren't top 5 middleweights themselves who it seems to matter to one bit. When you're an absolute legend of the sport, and you feature in one of the all time highlights against said champion, curiosity usually prevails because we want to see it again. Will Hendo truly retire even in victory? Will he only come out of retirement to specifically haunt Bisping? Only time will tell. Stipe brought the reverse hometown curse to an end, but can Hendo help light it back up? Meanwhile, contenders will also rise in the MW, LHW, and HW scenes respectively.
UFC Middleweight Championship
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| Your new champ ladies and gentlemen? @danhendo |
Michael Bisping (c) vs Dan Henderson
2016 has been a long and strange year thus far in title pictures. Saying there have been a lot of upsets and titles changing hands would be quite the understatement. Fitting then that a 46 year old man is going to take his proverbial and quite literal swing at it. I'll admit to perennially underrating Michael Bisping, and that is largely due to finding him so unlikeable. But our amigo from the podcast Marc is right on two counts, he's been playing the heel for years intentionally, so why can't I get on board with that? But more importantly, he has been a deeply talented fighter the entirety of his career. None of his losses came to fighters who were not of legit quality, and he'll also not let you forget that his losses have also come to men who may have had questionable "blends" in their system looking back. Look, do I think USADA has had the rest of the fighters finally come back down to Bisping's level? Sure. Do I think Bisping is the less shop-worn, well conditioned, and better all around fighter? Absolutely. Am I picking Dan Henderson cause of American exceptionalism nonsense and that ridiculous back elbow KO of Hector Lombard? You RED, WHITE, and BLUELIEVE IT! Hendo by KO punch + unnecessary follow up punch.
The Count: Doc Law, Gooms, DJ Mark
Hollywood: Kid P
