Return of the Original Bad Boy: Michael Bisping Prepares for UFC 186
Long before Conor Mcgregor was trash talking in the face of the best fighters in the world, Michael Bisping had made his mark with brash style and bold personality. “The Count” has traveled the world, becoming the face of UFC in the UK and becoming one of the most notorious fighters on the roster.
Now the British bad boy has made the move to Los Angeles and become a full-time Californian as he prepares himself for the latest stage of his UFC career.
Michael Bisping is too talented to be focused on the future.
Like Lyoto Machida this past week, Bisping is at a pivotal stage of his career. Over the last several years, he has alternated wins and losses in bouts with Alan Belcher, Tim Kennedy, Cung Le, and most recently Luke Rockhold.
The bout with Rockhold was seen by many as perhaps the last great chance for the Englishman to prove he was among the upper-echelon of the division. In a bout that involved much fan-fare and animosity between the two fighters, the result was a second round submission loss where Bisping looked listless and his volume striking and vaunted conditioning were never on display.
Apr 27, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Michael Bisping (red gloves) competes against Alan Belcher (not pictured) during UFC 159 at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
His next bout is one that many see as a sign of Bisping’s potential shift to a gatekeeper role in the division. C.B. Dolloway is a journeyman who has been in the UFC since 2008, a far-cry from the elite competition that Bisping has faced in his career such as Rockhold, Vitor Belfort, and Chael Sonnen.
While he has looked good in big fights against fighters like Sonnen, his most notable career moments in the general MMA consciousness have been his setbacks. His loss to Dan Henderson is forever immortalized in highlight reels and gifs in the annals of MMA history.
As the size of the UFCs roster has grown, his style of self promotion is now echoed in several of the stars making the headlines. The bold attitude and endless confidence in the face of elite competition that he made his own at the beginning of his career have become commonplace, most notably in Ireland’s Conor McGregor.
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That said, Michael Bisping remains one of the UFCs most recognizable faces. He is a regular analyst for the UFC on their weekly program on Fox Sports 1. He is among the most successful fighters to have won The Ultimate Fighter reality show. He remains the most popular and well-known fighter from the UK.
Bisping’s success and tenure have made him an icon of the sport across the pond. “The Count” has plenty of fight in him, to be sure. But if he were to quit competing tomorrow he would likely have a long-term career waiting in the wings.
All of this can and should not have an effect on Saturday. Dollaway is a tenacious opponent who knows that a win over Bisping leads to more opportunities to fight big names and have bigger paydays. “The Count” should focus on using his superior conditioning and striking against “The Doberman” and utilize his more comprehensive skills to secure a victory.
If he prevails on Saturday then he will continue to be placed at the top of cards and earn large purses while expanding his personal brand. If he is ever to earn the title-shot that has eluded him his entire career then he needs to make that run now.