UFC 75: Michael Bisping Interview - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

CounterPuncher · 09-05-2007, 04:05 PM

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UFCjunkie.com: You’ll be fighting Matt Hamill Saturday at UFC 75. In the past, after Hamill had went to the media campaigning for the fight, you mentioned that fighting him would be a step backward in your career. So how did the fight come about?
Michael Bisping: Like you mentioned, he did call me out. Look, I can understand why the UFC wanted this fight. A lot of people watch the show and want to see us fight. It’s the fight the fans want, so that’s good enough for me. Yeah, I didn’t want it at first. I wanted to put the whole “Ultimate Fighter” thing behind me and move on with my career in the UFC. But the fight’s booked. I look forward to going out there and shutting him up and putting on a good show.

UFCjunkie.com: Hamill was portrayed as a bit of a sympathetic character on the show. Was that an accurate portrayal?
Michael Bisping: No, no (it isn’t). They portrayed him as this big gullible, bloody puppy-eyed deaf kid, but that wasn’t the case at all. The guy’s an *******, for lack of a better word. He came on the show for the wrong reasons. He’s a bit of a bully. He didn’t respect anyone. When it’s universal that every guy who meant him thought he was an *******, well, he’s got to be *******. You’d think someone — at least one person — would like you, but no one in the house except for his buddy Danny (Abbadi) did.

UFCjunkie.com: Were they really that tight on the show?
Michael Bisping: Maybe there was a little man-love going on. (laughs) Seriously, you could see the connection. There was some electricity there. But whatever. It’s 2007. I’m all for gays. More power to them. (laughs) But honestly, they did portray (Matt) as a bit of a teddy bear, and that wasn’t the case at all.

UFCjunkie.com: I was at UFC 68 and saw Hamill’s win over Rex Holman. It was a solid victory, but it was almost like Hamill wanted to keep it on his feet to prove something. A few people have called it “sloppy.” Do you think he’s overconfident in those non-wrestling aspects of his game?
Michael Bisping: Absolutely. I’ve said it before. They guy really is an overconfident ego-maniac. I completely respect the guy for what he’s overcome. He’s done well for himself given what life’s dealt him. But he’s not what I would call a mixed-martial artist. Obviously, he’s got to improve his striking and jiu-jitsu. But I hope he did. I hope he comes out trying to prove a point. But he doesn’t really have any style with his strategy.

UFCjunkie.com: I know it’s hard to predict fight outcomes, but what can fans expect Saturday?
Michael Bisping: I think it’s going to be an exciting fight. If you’ve seen Hamill, you see that he comes out hard and ready to fight. He doesn’t like me. That goes back a while, so I’m sure he’s training his ass off. For me, I always look to finish a fight from the start. We’re going to war, and someone’s going to get stopped. OK, he’s going to get stopped. All he can really do is take me down, but he can’t finish me from there. He doesn’t really have any ground and pound or anything like that. I don’t like to make predictions, but there’s a reason most of my fights finish by knockout.

UFCjunkie.com: Tito Ortiz was your coach on “The Ultimate Fighter 3.” Do you still see or talk to him much?
Michael Bisping: No, not really. He lives in California, and I live in Manchester, so we don’t really bump into each other too much. (laughs) Me and Tito get along all right. We say hi when we see each other and exchange pleasantries, but that’s about all, to be honest.

UFCjunkie.com: Looking back to your time on the show, how would you rate him as a coach?
Michael Bisping: I can’t bad-mouth his coaching abilities on the show. He did a good job. You can’t deny it. He brought in Saul Soliz (kickboxing coach) and Dean Lister (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach), who are both world-class in their own rights. Saul’s a fantastic coach, Tito showed us wrestling things and takedown defense, and Dean Lister showed us some great stuff on the floor. So as a whole of a team, it was very, very good.

UFCjunkie.com: Well, you’re both light heavyweights. If they offered you a fight against Tito, is that something you would take?
Michael Bisping: Of course. I’d be f—ng happy to sock his big basketball head all over the Octagon. (laughs) I’m only joking. You’re going to quote me on that, aren’t you?

UFCjunkie.com: Who? Me?
Michael Bisping: Honestly, I’ve got a lot of respect for Tito. He’s a five-time world champion or something like that. I’ll fight anyone the UFC puts in front of me. I know that’s a bit of a boring answer, but that’s the way it is. Whatever comes my way, so be it.

UFCjunkie.com: Is there any fighter who’s off limits as an opponent — whether for personal reasons or because they’re training partners?
Michael Bisping: No, not really. I’m still taking my time. I’m not ready for a title fight or anything like that. It’s only my fourth UFC fight, you know? I just want to keep learning, progressing and maturing.

UFCjunkie.com: There’s been talk of a possible U.K. version of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Is that something you’d be interested in being a part of?
Michael Bisping: Oh yeah, of course. Sign me up. I’d love to be a coach or whatever. That’d be great.

UFCjunkie.com: So, specifically, you’d be interested in being a coach — and not just some type of host or assistant?
Michael Bisping: Absolutely. A lot of the guys came back from the show and said they hated it and would never do anything like that again. I loved it. It was one of the best experiences of my life. It changed my life. Usually, the guys who don’t like it are the ones who don’t make it very far. The guys who are there to the end usually love it.

UFCjunkie.com: Do you prefer fighting in the U.K. rather than the U.S. or somewhere else?
Michael Bisping: It doesn’t really matter to me. I’ve had good experiences wherever I fight. I will say that the crowd in Manchester (at UFC 72) was amazing, and I expect London to be the same. But the crowd was pretty amazing when I fought in the States too. Saturday will be at a great venue. But I’m pretty sure my next fight will be in the U.S. I’m excited about it.

UFCjunkie.com: As I’m sure you’re well aware, there’s been some criticism that the UFC had babied you in your early career. What would you say to fans who have that gripe?
Michael Bisping: Do you feel that way?

UFCjunkie.com: I’m talking about a lot of fans — vocal fans. Even a lot of UFCjunkie.com readers.
Michael Bisping: But you personally? Do you think that?

UFCjunkie.com: Not necessarily. Well, to an extent, I guess. But no more so than any other young fighter. The UFC needs a deliberate plan for their investments, so I understand not rushing you guys. And I’m not just talking about you guys who win the reality show.
Michael Bisping: Well, here it is. For one, I only fight who the UFC puts in front of me. My first fight after winning the contract was Eric Schaffer, who was 9-1. He finished every win with a first-round submission. He’s a tough guy. I wouldn’t call that a baby fight. His first fight in the UFC, and he chokes a guy out cold in two-and-a-half minutes. That’s no gimme. As for Elvis Sinosic, he doesn’t have the best record, but he’s fought many of the best guys in the world. That fight came about because his last fight was in Cage Rage in England, and he knocked out a guy called Mike Epstein, who was well known in England. So that fight kind of made sense in England. I had beat (Epstein) and so had Elvis, so I think it was a good bit of match-making on the UFC’s part.

UFCjunkie.com: And Hamill?
Michael Bisping: Well, he screamed, shouted and babied to get the fight. And he’s still undefeated. You can’t keep the fans happy. Well, I shouldn’t say fans. The Internet keyboard warriors, you can never please them. They’ll always have something to complain about.

UFCjunkie.com: I know you’re training a lot in Big Bear with Quinton Jackson. Have you thought about making the U.S. your permanent home?
Michael Bisping: I think about it a lot. I love the States. I love the lifestyle. It’s a possibility. You get a lot for your money here. Ideally, I’d like to do half and half — half my time here and half my time in England. I get great training in both places.

UFCjunkie.com: How about a title shot? You mentioned that earlier.
Michael Bisping: Yeah, you know, when you get to the title, there’s only one place to go. And it’s down. It’s true. Everyone wants a piece of you. I want to be there some day. I only have two (UFC) fights under my belt since winning (the contract), and I’m still learning. I don’t want to be there yet. Maybe next year. That’s what I want. I think I’ll achieve that goal eventually.

UFCjunkie.com: So is it a fight-by-fight re-evaluation thing?
Michael Bisping: Exactly. My ambition is to stay undefeated, and if I do that, the title shot will come soon enough.

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wilshaw · 09-05-2007, 04:52 PM

Good interview, glad to see he's being sensible about the title shot though.

TheSteveOfMean · 09-05-2007, 05:00 PM

Bisping is great in these interviews, I can see another fantastic reception for him on Saturday. Hopefully another win aswell.

FightingIrish · 09-05-2007, 05:11 PM

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Originally Posted by TheSteveOfMean

Bisping is great in these interviews, I can see another fantastic reception for him on Saturday. Hopefully another win aswell.

lol at your name...But I hope Hammil wins, and I hope that Bisping gets overpowered, not because I don't like him, but I want him to move down to MW for sure.

Kurtis636 · 09-05-2007, 05:20 PM

It's very hard to dislike Bisping He's a bright guy, gives good interviews, puts on a show in the ring, and is very personable and charismatic. I hope he beats Hammill and then drops down to 185. I don't think he'd be an immediate threat for the belt, but I think he'd instantly be in the top 5 at 185# and ready for a title shot in a year.

theEmpiric · 09-05-2007, 05:26 PM

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Originally Posted by FightingIrish17

I want him to move down to MW for sure.

Agreed, there is no room for him in LHW, and if he stays here the ufc will have him fight for the title too soon, where as if he moves to mw he will have atleast another 2 fights(assuming he wins) until they give him the title.

I dont see him having success in any of these fights:
Bisping vs: Shogun
Rampage
Liddel
Wanderlei

However I would love to see Tito vs Bisping.

TheSteveOfMean · 09-05-2007, 05:31 PM

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Originally Posted by FightingIrish17

lol at your name...But I hope Hammil wins, and I hope that Bisping gets overpowered, not because I don't like him, but I want him to move down to MW for sure.

Ha thanks. I don't want to get into an old subject which I see has been discussed many a time on here, but I agree he could really benefit from a move down to 185. I really see him at least getting into the title mix after a year or so.

Xod · 09-05-2007, 05:50 PM

Michael Bisping: You can’t keep the fans happy. Well, I shouldn’t say fans. The Internet keyboard warriors, you can never please them. They’ll always have something to complain about.

i think i have a new signature

Jawshattera · 09-05-2007, 06:07 PM

bisping will ktfo of hammil before the secondround is over,probably b4 the first is over.....hammil has the worst striking ive ever seen in the ufc and he offer's no offensive too bisping besides td's.

if hammil wins which a very much doubt it will be by way of the most boring lay and pray victory in in a very long itme

CounterPuncher · 09-05-2007, 06:13 PM

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Originally Posted by Jawshattera

bisping will ktfo of hammil before the secondround is over,probably b4 the first is over.....hammil has the worst striking ive ever seen in the ufc and he offer's no offensive too bisping besides td's.

if hammil wins which a very much doubt it will be by way of the most boring lay and pray victory in in a very long itme

A little harsh don't ya think, I wouldn't say Hamill has the WORST striking in the UFC. It definitely isn't that good, but it is far from the worst.

Dirty Fighter · 09-05-2007, 06:19 PM

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Originally Posted by CounterPuncher

A little harsh don't ya think, I wouldn't say Hamill has the WORST striking in the UFC. It definitely isn't that good, but it is far from the worst.

Not that far. The fight with Nichols still makes me sick.

Jawshattera · 09-05-2007, 06:42 PM

i think hammil is the stupidest,most sloppy striker in the ufc.

ive seen kids in a boxing class for two weeks with better striking than hammil

CounterPuncher · 09-05-2007, 07:02 PM

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Originally Posted by Dirty Fighter

Not that far. The fight with Nichols still makes me sick.

You've got a point there, that was a horrible display of striking by both men. I'm hoping that Hamill's striking has improved a lot since then, and I think it probably has at least improved some.

surfinkimo · 09-05-2007, 11:38 PM

I hope hamill takes him down and ground n pounds the hell outta him!!!!!!!!!!!!

wilshaw · 09-06-2007, 04:39 AM

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Originally Posted by surfinkimo

I hope hamill takes him down and ground n pounds the hell outta him!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hamills Ground n pound is horrible, its a little better than his stand up but not much, he could never finish Michael with ground n pound or striking, if Hamill wins its going to be by decision and saying that i can't ever remember any of Bispings mma fights lasting over 2 rounds it's going to be a tough order.

Maybe if Dannys in his corner which some sandwiches Hamill might find the strength to pull through, other than that he's going to be recieving some shin on chin action [to quote Bisping].

OneBigThrow · 09-06-2007, 11:09 AM

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UFCjunkie.com: Were they really that tight on the show?
Michael Bisping: Maybe there was a little man-love going on. (laughs) Seriously, you could see the connection. There was some electricity there. But whatever. It’s 2007. I’m all for gays. More power to them.

Oh. My. God. that is a FABULOUSTH quote

i died laughin,lmao

bayouboy · 09-06-2007, 11:14 AM

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Originally Posted by Kurtis636

It's very hard to dislike Bisping He's a bright guy, gives good interviews, puts on a show in the ring, and is very personable and charismatic. I hope he beats Hammill and then drops down to 185. I don't think he'd be an immediate threat for the belt, but I think he'd instantly be in the top 5 at 185# and ready for a title shot in a year.

I have no problem disliking him. Unfortunately I don't see him losing this fight. Although with my success in predictions lately that might be a great sign for Hammill.

OneBigThrow · 09-06-2007, 11:16 AM

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i think hammil is the stupidest,most sloppy striker in the ufc.

i hope this didnt go unnoticed by moderation

fullonshred · 09-06-2007, 03:06 PM

IMO think Bisping is very smart, egotistical, sneaky, ruthless, and not to be trusted. He has a decent skillset. Won't surprise me at all to see some "dirty" tactics ("accidental, of course") from Bisping during this fight. He puts up a good front, but I just don't like or trust him. I started out pulling for the guy on TUF, but by the end my opinion of him had changed radically. I was SOOOOO hoping Pointon would KHTFO.