Tanner vs. Bisping?

Drexal · 12-19-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Report: Tanner to Make Return at UFC 82

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner will finally make his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 82 in March according to a report by MMA Mania.

UFC 82 is currently scheduled to take place at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus Ohio on March 2nd.

MMA on Tap has also learned that a potential fight between Tanner and the UFC’s newest middleweight Michael Bisping has been discussed by UFC officials.

Tanner recently signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC last month.

Tanner has not competed inside the Octagon since April of last year when he submitted Justin Levens with a triangle at UFC 59. He became the third UFC Middleweight Champion in history when he stopped David Terrell at UFC 51 in 2005. He would go on to lose the belt in his very next fight against Rich Franklin at UFC 53.

source: Report: Tanner to Make Return at UFC 82 - MMA on Tap

I think this will be a great fight. I'm looking forward to seeing it if it does happen. Will Tanner's ring rust and alcohol problems effect him too much in this fight? I love watching Tanner as he brings it every fight and I'm interested in seeing how Bisping does at a lower weight class. If Tanner is his usual self I doubt Bisping can take it, however if he comes in less than perfect shaped Bisping could earn the biggest win of his career to date!

Mulla · 12-19-2007, 09:09 AM

I hope this is true, it would be a far more interesting fight than Bisping/McCarthy.

FightFan23 · 12-19-2007, 09:22 AM

Now this is a fight I would love to see. I find it hard to beleave they will set this up. Basically for the reasons:

1) would they want Bisping to lose his first MW fight
2) would they want Tanner to lose his first fight back in the octagon.

I hope they look past that and make this fight happen

Mickey Finn · 12-20-2007, 01:05 AM

i hope so

Pitbull · 12-20-2007, 02:57 AM

Please, please, please let this fight happen.

Heatwaves · 12-20-2007, 03:22 AM

I don't see this happening (yet) either. The want to build both Bisping and Tanner up in the MW division. Tanner is admittedly rusty and no one is sure what we're gonna get when he gets back in the octagon. I feel confident that they're going to give Tanner a can the first time out - most likely someone from outside the organization that's one of those 7-1, 8-1-type guys.

I actually think there's more of a chance to see Bisping vs. McDonald.

Ztous · 12-20-2007, 05:37 AM

This has already been posted.

Bisbing confirmed for MW

Also it is a false rumour.