MMA Budo

The outspoken Brit, Michael “The Count” Bisping’s prospects of winning his next UFC match against Brazilian Wanderlei Silva at UFC 110 in Sydney leave him with mixed emotions. Silva was always a role model for Bisping when he fought in Pride but even though Silva has come down to the 185 pound weight class for the first time for this fight – even if Bisping wins, there will be those that insist that Silva was past his prime.

Silva is still a very dangerous opponent with some of the best striking in the business. Bisping, also a noted striker has been working on his ground game considerably in preparation for the fight. Even so, Bisping does not seem to be that concerned.

As Bisping explained to Telegraph Sport:

There’s not too much to study with Wanderlei Silva. I have seen enough of him, he was a hero for me when he was fighting in Pride. There are no real surprises in his style, very powerful knees, good Muay Thai, good BJJ, slightly weaker in the wrestling department. I watched DVDs of his fights, but after that I decided to stop.

I’m not interested in his old fights. I don’t watch to watch him KO people, because I don’t want to give him too much respect. Besides, we have a team of coaches who study the opponent and come up with the fight plan and strategy.

I’ll train in the Wolfslair until two weeks before the fight. We have a great group of guys here, and we have brought in some Muay Thai guys and wrestlers from the United States, and we are getting all bases covered. This is a real winnable fight for me.

Bisping, who has been training intensely for the bout insists that running 4 or 5 miles every morning is the key to his success at making weight.

Bisping is one of the fighters whom UFC’s UK president Marshall Zelaznik rates as having the potential to take over the world of MMA in 2010.

Will Bisping, a noted striker be able to overcome the powerful Muy Thai of his former hero Silva?

Tune in to UFC 110, it should be a very interesting event.