Michael Bisping on UFC 93: I'd Rather Fight Dan Henderson Than Rich Franklin

Here's the always profane Dana White video blog for UFC 93:

The most interesting parts come at the very beginning and the very end. At the beginning, White reveals that the first two episodes of The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 will be filmed at the Wolfslair MMA Academy in England, and not at the Ultimate Fighter house and UFC gym in Las Vegas. Those first two episodes will feature elimination bouts for the upcoming season's British fighters.

Those British fighters will be coached by Michael Bisping, and the American fighters on the upcoming season of the show will be coached by the winner of the Dan Henderson-Rich Franklin main event at UFC 93. Bisping and Henderson/Franklin will then fight each other this summer, and Bisping says he'd rather fight Henderson than Franklin.

"It's a tough fight, it's a close fight, but if I'm a betting man, which sometimes I am, probably Franklin," Bisping said of his own prediction for the fight.

But when White asks him who he'd rather fight, Bisping said, "Probably Dan Henderson. One, because he's an orthodox fighter, not a southpaw. And two, he had two belts at once in Pride, and I want to fight those types of guys. When I'm dead and buried I want to have fought the best guys out there."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-12-2009 @ 8:34AM

tpinbc said...

the Hendo/Frankling fight really seams like an even match. Both class acts with great natural and developed ability. Both of their strengths seam to neutralize each other. It's reall a toss up to me of who wants it more.

Henderson's strenght and experience verse Franklins natural talent and intelligence. Just hope it's a good fight and both of them are arond for a while.

Bisping will probably lose to either guy. Which puts them both in line for a tough fight against the Spider again.

Share you thoughts MDS.

1-12-2009 @ 9:53AM

Eric said...

Franklin has shown good takedown defense throughout his career. I see this being a standup fight in which Franklin can use his footwork and refined striking to win a decision.

I could possibly see Henderson getting another shot at the Spider with a victory in this fight, but I don't think the UFC would ever put Franklin back in the cage with Anderson.

Personally I don't want to see Anderson fight rematches. I would rather see him fight Maia or Gouveia. Win or lose to BJ Penn, I think the possibility of GSP moving up to 185 to challenge Anderson is real. At first I didn't like the idea, but with GSP's wrestling and athleticism I think he has a chance.