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[Sakara=Excitement]

UFC NEWS – Bisping Says, It’s The Biggest Fight Of My Life And Im Going Out Guns Blazing | MMA News

“Well, this is it! The biggest fight of my life, offered to me on 10 days notice: a No. 1 contender’s fight for the UFC middleweight title. Me against Chael Sonnen, who is one of the best-known fighters in the sport, live on FOX next Saturday night, Jan. 28. A huge fight, huge opportunity for me and my family.

I was due to fight Demian Maia, probably the most dangerous Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fighter in the division, if not the entire UFC, on the Chicago card. It was already a short-notice fight, just seven weeks after my fight in Las Vegas where I beat up Jason “Mayhem” Miller. But I was thrilled — honored, actually — to be asked by the UFC to be part of this huge event live on FOX.

Then I got a call Tuesday afternoon from UFC president Dana White. I was sitting down having some post-morning workout lunch, talking with my trainers about how well my BJJ defense was looking ahead of my UFC on FOX fight with Maia.

We were all rather pleased with how things were going; Maia is basically a 50-times-better version of Miller, but there are similarities. They are very similar fighters in style if not ability, and so the things I worked on for Miller set me up nicely for the Maia fight. I was drilling my submission defense like crazy, and was very confident of putting on a massive performance against Damien.

Then “DANA WHITE” popped up on my caller ID. I picked it up and Dana said: “I got some good news for you … Mark Munoz is hurt, how’d you like to take his place and fight Chael for the No. 1 contender spot?”

Dana hadn’t even finished saying Munoz was out before I was planning how to beat Sonnen in my head. I’ve accepted fights on short notice for the UFC throughout my career, but this one is a massive, massive chance for me, and I am very grateful to Dana, (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and the UFC. I was already hugely grateful to be asked to fight on FOX, but to fight Chael on FOX … well, there are hundreds of fighters who would kill for this opportunity, and I would have had to be a fool to turn it down.

I’m sure I’ll get blasted for this on the forums, but I feel I could have been the one fighting Chael anyway. We were due to be “The Ultimate Fighter” coaches against each other, but because of things outside our control it didn’t happen, and I’ve won a fight since. I don’t understand how Mark Munoz, as great as he’s been doing lately, was getting Chael instead of me. I feel bad for Mark, but I know he’ll come again and no doubt he will be right back in the mix in this very interesting 185-pound weight class.

I feel very sorry for Damien, too, as ours was a great matchup and I am sure he trained hard for me. He’s a class act as a fighter and a person, and I am glad he’s still getting a great fight and opportunity on FOX.

Next week, I’m ready to go all guns blazing. A fight is a fight, and at this level anything can happen, but all things being equal, Chael Sonnen cannot knock me out. He can’t submit me, either. The worst that is going to happen is that he will outpoint me and, if I don’t beat him, I didn’t deserve a title shot against Anderson Silva anyway.

But my performance against Miller in the opening round, where he held me down for three minutes, wasn’t good enough, and I will need to be better Saturday. I needed to be better than that if I was going to beat Maia, and I will need to be better than that to beat Chael.”

[chico76]

I like that attitude, unfortunately not his chances with so little time to prepare. Considering he has to worry about wieght and PR crap.

[Cat--Smasher]

Exclusive: Bisping on Sonnen - "If he takes me down, I will submit him"

FO: You guys were originally teed up to coach against one another on The Ultimate Fighter; if that had happened, no doubt all the trash talk would of gotten you fired up and when you are fired up it seems to bring out the best in you.

Would you have preferred a longer build up, more time to get some real animosity fired up for motivation?

“If we would of done The Ultimate Fighter together then, of course, that would of made for great TV, but sometimes things happen for a reason. Believe me, I was motivated to fight Demian Miai, I was up for that fight. But now I’ve got the call, and I’m just super pumped. I am more excited than you can imagine.

And my motivation levels seem a lot higher again. I’m excited about this opportunity. I am excited about the ramifications of winning this fight, what it will do for myself, my family and my career. This is just huge and I am sure even though we have less than two weeks to go there is still plenty of time for some trash talk.

I believe he’s already started in fact and he’s going to smash my teeth in. That’s fine. I can’t wait… Chael’s biggest weapon is his mouth – but this ain’t no kissing contest and he isn’t going to talk me to death. Unlucky for him he can’t hurt me with his mouth in the Octagon and I am going to crush him. I’m in my prime and this is my time.”


FO: Chael has been training to face a wrestler so he’s not tailored his camp to suit your style either, will that be an advantage to you?

“No because it simply means that his wrestling skills will be on point, I’m going to get the best Chael Sonnen possible I know that. But his jiu-jitsu wont be too slick. Chael Sonnen can take me down if he likes, because I know I can submit him off my back. I know I can. That’s his big weakness.

“I may not have a black belt, but I consider myself a black belt. I’ve been rolling with Jake Shields, Dean Lister and a wash of other world champions. Believe me, if Chael Sonnen takes me down he better be prepared to get submitted.”


FO: Is that the gameplan then, to submit Chael Sonnen?

“Working with these guys recently, these top level jiu-jitsu guys, has really brought on my game and I am so comfortable on my back right now. In the past I have stood fights up a lot but the way I am training right now, I will be delighted if Chael takes me down. If he does, then it will be a short night for him.”

Exclusive: Bisping on Sonnen - "If he takes me down, I will submit him" - Fighters Only

[The8thPlague]

All very well said Bisping.
But Chael is gonna go through you like a Bullet Train Through a Pigeon.

[TBEAR]

This will be the first and prob last time, But I am pulling for Mike Bisping

[disposableassassin]

great interview from bisping. chael still squishes him.

[Ashy Larry]

Don't get me wrong I have Chael as the favorite in this fight but I have a weird feeling about this one. I'd like to see Bisping get smashed as much as the next guy but I think his chances are better than most people are giving him credit for. Maybe its because i've always seen him as a pompous ass and after the Miller fight he's been more respectful than in the past so now i've giving him more credit. On one hand I really want Chael to win because I firmly believe that Anderson will beat him in a re-match. On the other hand I believe that Bisping has the style to be knocked out in the most epic fashion by Anderson which I would love to see.

[classicironman]

bisping has very good skills. I dont think so but he has a reasonable shot against sonnen. That being said I hope sonnen wins because I see Bisping having 0 chance against Silva

[Sakara=Excitement]

Ike Sonnen, meet Tina Bisping. Have y'all met?

[dexter]

Originally Posted by The8thPlague

All very well said Bisping.
But Chael is gonna go through you like a Bullet Train Through a Pigeon.

When - apart from Stann - has Sonnen ever run though anyone?