The bloke tried his hardest at UFC 100, but he came up short (and out cold) against a Dan Henderson right-cross. This is *actually* an action shot, a split second after Hendo crushed the left side of Mike’s face in…and someone had the nerve to super-impose Bisping’s head on a gay, dancing fairy for their own amusement!! The person who did this exquisite, seamless (and somewhat funny) job ought to be ashamed!!
Note: Bisping doesn’t actually have that goofy, Simpson-esque under-bite in real life. As I said before, this is an action shot of him after Hendo nearly knocked his block off, and before Hendo’s extra “Forearm of Doom” mashed into Mike’s chin after Mike hit the canvas.
All 22 fighters on the historic card made weight without incident.
265 lbs: UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (265) vs. Frank Mir (245)
This bout is more about name value more than talent, but though both guys are at or near the top of their games. Brock has evolved tremendously since their first bout at UFC 80 where Lesnar dominated 87 out of 90 seconds before losing via a kneebar. Mir has rediscovered his game and desire. Should be a good one, though I think Lesnar is too big, too strong and now, too smart for Mir. Lesnar by 2nd round TKO.
170 lbs: UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre (170) vs. Thiago Alves (170)
The true main event of the night. Alves looked like a vampire sucked him dry during his weigh-in. That, coupled with the fact St. Pierre is a master tactician, will make it a long night for Alves, until he runs out of gas and gets tapped out in the 4th round.
170 lbs: Jon Fitch (170) vs. Paulo Thiago (170)
Poor Fitch still can’t get respect. He gets a title shot at UFC 87, then gets bumped back to the prelims his next fight. He’s the real deal though, and will put a pounding on Thiago, avenging his teammate Josh Kosckeck. Fitch by 2nd round KO.
185 lbs: Dan Henderson (185) vs. Michael Bisping (186)
The winner of this likely gets the next crack at Anderson Silva, so I’ll bet the UFC brass is praying for a Bisping win so they can have him challenge Silva in the UK. That will be a tall task though, as Hendo is a grizzled vet who has faced the best, and won, in the business. Bisping will stick and move, very much like the fight against Leben…and Hendo will be ready. Hendo by decision, throwing a wrench into the UFC’s middleweight plans, for now.
185 lbs: Yoshihiro Akiyama (185) vs. Alan Belcher (186)
I’m not sure why Belcher is an underdog, but he is. I’d give him a 50-50 chance in this fight, as he is rapidly improving. Akiyama is the latest hyped up entrant into the UFC and this one is a pick ‘em. Belcher by TKO.
205 lbs: Stephan Bonnar (205) vs. Mark Coleman (205)
Coleman needs this win in the worst way, but he won’t get it; his gas tank will fail him first, and Bonnar will sub the Hall of Famer. Say, middle of the third.
205 lbs: Jon Jones (206) vs. Jake O’Brien (206)
The hottest 205lb prospect vs the most boring one. I’m picking Jones by decision.
170 lbs: TJ Grant (170) vs Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim (171)
Tough test for Grant, but look for the scrappy Canadian to give Kim his first official pro loss.
155 lbs: Mac Danzig (154) vs. Jim Miller (155)
It’s a pick ‘em. I pick Danzig.
185 lbs: CB Dollaway (186) vs. Tom Lawlor (184)
Lawlor hasn’t done much to impress me, while Dollaway has. Dollaway welcomes Lawlor to the middleweight division and taps him out in the 2nd round.
155 lbs: Matt Grice (155) vs. Shannon Gugerty (156)
Er…Grice by TKO.
