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[Brutus]

Henderson lauds Bisping | The Sun |HomePage|Sport|UFC

DAN HENDERSON says Britiain’s Michael Bisping can be a force in the UFC’s middleweight division.

The ex-Pride star faces Anderson Silva for the title at UFC 82 on March 1 but says Lancashire-born Bisping can be the surprise star of 2008.

Henderson said: "He's a good addition to the division. From what I've seen he's very talented and he's a tough guy.

“He's young and I think he's getting to the point where you need to pay attention to him.

“I think middleweight may be a better weight class for him but we will have to wait and see what happens."

And ‘Hollywood’ Henderson had some words of advice for Bisping ahead of the Brit’s debut middleweight bout against Charles McCarthy at UFC 83.

He said: "The best advice I could give him as someone who is also dropping down a division is to get an expert in cutting weight to work out your plan for you.

“This is a science and you need to go get the best advice and then stick to it.

“A lot of guys don't cut weight right, they take too much off too soon or they try to take everything off too late."

Interesting if you ask me. Granted the MW division is lacking at the moment but i dont think Bisping can be a champion even w/ the current fighters.

[bobcat]

As a fellow Englishman, I should really support Bisping, but I just don't see him doing much unless he steps up his game signifcantly(and losses some of his arrogance).

[Mr_MMA]

I have mixed feelings about his move to MW. The idea was that he would be bigger fighter and would have the size advantage. However, Rashad who is one of the smaller LHWs took him down fairly comprehensively.

This shows that the reasons for the move are slightly dubious. However, he is still young and I do think he has natural talent. He does need to move camps IMO as MMA in the UK is still behind the US. He also needs exposure to top level wrestling because that has been his achillies heel so far.

[POINDEXTER]

He's going to ruin Charles.

[chungt79]

Yeah, only because MW division still sucks. I wish the UFC would give Hendo at least one fight in the UFC to showcase him but whatever I guess. So you got Silva and Hendo at top. Then you got your Nate, Rich, and Okami. I can see Bisping somewhere between 6-10. So I guess as long as you are in a top ten, you are somewhat in the mix. But I dont see Bisping cracking the top 5 in what is still thin MW division of UFC.

[rexthedog]

[QUOTE=Mr_MMA;406961]I However, Rashad who is one of the smaller LHWs took him down fairly comprehensively.
QUOTE]

ok its been a while since this fight but from memory did bisping not surprise with his TDD?

[BigBanda]

Well at least time is on Bisping's side still because he is only 28 so there is room for improvement still. For now I do not ever see him being champion with the current division.

[notrightn0w]

He may be a force, but I can't see him beating Hendo or Anderson... but then again it's MMA so you'll never know

[Quintessential Studmuffin]

Bisping will never be a force in the division,atleast not when guys like Okami,Tanner,Franklin,Silva,and Hendo are in it. Id even bet on Almeida or Leben wrecking him. Hes just a mediocre fighter IMO.

[Bigshanks666]

I dont see Bisping being a force even in the lackluster MW division. He will be a gatekeeper at most but I could be wrong.