Issue 077
July 2011
The hard-talking, confident middleweight has proven time and again he can back up his bravado, but what are the secrets to The Count’s success?
NEED TO KNOW
Name: Michael Bisping
Age: 32
Started: 2004
Division: Middleweight
Style: Muay Thai, boxing
Based: Liverpool/Manchester, England
Record: 21-3, 13 (T)KOs (61.9%); 4 sub (19.05%); 4 decisions (19.05%)
Only volatile when provoked, 21-3 Michael Bisping is equally respected (or loathed) for his verbal abilities and a career made on exciting stoppage wins. ‘The Count’ (so-called because of a lineage boasting Polish nobility) used to be a big fan favorite due to the good-humored personality showcased while a contestant on season three of The Ultimate Fighter. But a slightly immodest victory over Matt Hamill in 2007, then a role as the cocky coach on TUF 9 converted the Brit into one of the UFC’s leading villains, everywhere but in his homeland.
The 32-year-old, who has a curious sideline job as a DJ when not in fight camp, holsters quick hands next to fight-ending Muay Thai, the latter boosted by an adolescence learning and competing in kickboxing. Bisping values hit volume just as much as power and is ranked 10th amongst UFC fighters for strikes landed per minute at 4.41*, behind other respected fighters such as Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos. Under the guidance of the Wolfslair Gym near Liverpool, England, the UFC main-eventer has predominantly used his overwhelming stand-up game to climb the ranks of the world’s premier 205lb division, followed by the same at his current middleweight home.
Though he proudly centers the majority of his training in the UK, the 185lb’er has supplemented his skill set with trips to the US, working out with teammate ‘Rampage’ Jackson at the former light heavyweight champ’s high-altitude Big Bear base in California, and in Las Vegas for pre-fight sharpening with Phil Baroni, amongst others.
While losses against MMA legends Dan Henderson and Wanderlei Silva have broken Bisping’s momentum in his quest for the UFC middleweight title, his ability to sell fights, whether actively or passively, coupled with a finish-hungry style ensures his entitlement to being a perennial and dangerous middleweight contender.
Emotions
A self-described sensitive fighter, Bisping’s often highly charged emotional state has frequently fueled success – although occasionally failure too. While a calm and clinical Count outboxed Chris Leben and Dan Miller for wins, a fired-up Bisping ended evenings for Elvis Sinosic, Denis Kang and Jorge Rivera. But, that same enthusiasm put the Brit on the receiving end of Dan Henderson’s humbling right-hand knockout power at UFC 100.
Jab-cross
The simple, yet effective, orthodox jab-cross combination has been the foundation for much of Bisping’s stand-up structure. One of The Count’s most-used weapons, the left-right has set up TKO finishes and decision wins – as against Yoshihiro Akiyama and Chris Leben.
Defensive grappling
One of the first Brits to intensively work his wrestling due to matchups with strong wrestlers like Matt Hamill, Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson, Bisping is one of the best at neutralizing his opponents’ ground offense. Adept at defending takedowns against the cage and at regaining guard from side control, the 185lb’er is always able to redirect fights in his favor.
CAREER SNAPSHOT
2005
After ripping through the British MMA scene undefeated with ten stoppage wins inside 19 months, Bisping joins the third-season Ultimate Fighter cast and stops all three foes to become the show’s first non-American winner.
2007
After being called out by Matt Hamill and exchanging barbs via the press, Bisping wins a debated decision against the former TUF rival, his 14th ‘W’ in a row, at UFC 75 in London, England.
2008
Moves to middleweight after suffering his first loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 78 in November of the previous year. Finishes a three-fight win streak by decisioning Chris Leben at UFC 89.
2009
A TUF coaching stint and consequent war of words with Dan Henderson sets up a high-profile clash at UFC 100. The Count takes the first stoppage loss of his career but bounces back later in the year with a reaffirming win over Denis Kang at UFC 105.
2011
After going 2-1 in 2010 (decision loss to Wanderlei Silva, judges’ wins over Dan Miller and Yoshihiro Akiyama), a trash-talking Jorge Rivera incites a series of emotional reactions from Bisping before and after a Count TKO win at UFC 127.
