Michael Bisping has said that he understands that his fight on Saturday vs. Cung Le is a must-win for him. After years in the top-10 but never the top-3 of the UFC middleweight class, Bisping is now 35 and needs to win to avoid losing two fights in a row for the first time in his professional career.
Bisping Admits It’s Now or Never – Do the Odds Agree?
The odds for UFC Fight Night 48 suggest Bisping is the favorite to come away with the win he needs, so the door may not be closed just yet, but time is running out. Bisping (24-6), is coming off a hard loss to Tim Kennedy, who thoroughly outfought him, primarily by keeping him on the ground.
Bisping, who has provided some commentary for FOX, and clearly understands the optics of his situation as well as anyone, said “I have to prove to the UFC, I have to prove to the fans, and I have to prove to myself that I’m still an elite fighter who can go on, get some wins over contenders, and fight for the UFC title.”
A title fight is a good ways off. Bisping, who recently had Bruce Buffer introduce him at his wedding, showed a profound vulnerability to the quality of wrestling that Kennedy displayed, and current title holder Chris Weidman is a former college wrestling star.
This fight against 42-year old Cung Le isn’t much of a stepping stone, either. Le hasn’t fought since 2012, and does not have title aspirations. Bisping would need to win this fight handily before having a shot at another more serious contender, and even after winning that hypothetical fight he would still have work to do.
“I don’t want to be one of the guys in the top 10 who wins a few and loses a few,” Bisping said. Starting Saturday, we’ll see if that’s an option for the chatty Englishman.
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