Preface: This is a theoretical post for the most part and not a fight announcement. UPDATE: MMAmania.com has just learned that Leben has signed a contract to fight in London … hmmm.
Sherdog.com is reporting that James Irvin is being considered as a possible replacement for the injured Chuck Liddell to take on Rashad Evans at UFC 85 in London, England, on June 7.
That doesn’t seem to make much sense … not as a main event, anyway.
Of course, options are limited because there aren’t too many marquee match ups that can headline a major UFC event with about six weeks notice. Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch for the welterweight title would be the logical fight — both fighters are in shape.
However, “Rush” has complained about some injuries (shoulder/hand) in some post UFC 83 fight interviews. And it’s doubtful that he would risk further injury and take a big fight less than 100 percent on short notice.
Moving the 205-pound showdown between Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine slated for UFC 84: “Ill Will” is an option. However, booking a 185-pound tilt between sluggers Michael Bisping and Chris Leben might be a better one.
Why not?
Sure, it doesn’t have a Liddell-type draw … but what fights do besides others that include Tito Ortiz? And we all know that’s not going to happen.
Leben called out Bisping and “The Count” is a popular local attraction. “The Crippler” is one of the best personalities to market a fight — love him or hate him — and is on a nice little run.
No matter what happens it’s safe to say that fans are going to complain short of a title fight. And those chances are slim. In short, the ace up the sleeve right now is to include Bisping on this card and hopefully add another solid match up (who knows — that could be Evans vs. Irvin after all).
Let’s remember: There are some nice fights already slated for this event such as Marcus Davis vs. Mike Swick, Brandon Vera vs. Fabricio Werdum, Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites … this list goes on.
Add two more solid, high-profile fights — one that includes Bisping (who has already been a main eventer in New Jersey of all places) — and that might be the answer.
Time will tell.
130 Comments »
Bisbing vs. Leben would make we really like this card.
Bring it on! I am sooooo Down for this match!!! This would make a great fight for the main card, but then we still need to find a main event… Sign Ricardo Arona and let him fight Rashad!
Chris Leben should be cut from the UFC!!!!!! He deserves to be fighting in the WEC at BEST!!!!!
YEAH, and Ed Herman is THE MAN! LOLOLOLOLOL
and Alessio Sakara also!
I like sakara, but that said, his last fight disappointed, I thought he’d be a contender at MW
what..c’mon man..Leben only lost to Silva and Starnes…That’s it. Sakara never belonged anyway
yeah and we all know how good starnes is!!! LOL
The Herman and Sakara references were personal jokes make towards John. Sorry for any confusion.
I believe he made a certain statement about Leben belonging in the WEC just to get under a certain poster’s skin….. LOL
ViolentMike: U r right! I was just breaking balls. I wanted to stir things up and see how long it would take you to defend Leben.
For all you that thought I was serious, I am actually a fan of Leben’s. Ho0w could you not be, he isnt the most technical fighter but is always happy to let the leather fly.
IOnce again, just goofing!
BTW, Allesio Sakara is the only threat to Anderson Silvas Title! LMAO! I cant even type that with a straight face. lol
LOLOLOL. I still wish we had a side wager on the Leben/Sakara fight in addition to our bets on BetUs….
I dont! It wouldnt have worked out too well for me!
Leben has really stepped his game up in the past year. Combine that with his Iron Jaw, its going to be very hard for me to pick against Leben!
I say put Anderson Silva in with Okami it isn’t a lot of time but it is a major fight that is still out there without moving around any other fighters. Leben vs Bisping is a good fight one I would love to see but not really a main event.
That was my first thought too. I like the idea of a Bisping-Leben fight, but Siva-Okami would be much better. Especially since they should both be ready to fight by then and aren’t currently scheduled. I think that adding both fights would make this a very solid card. I’m really looking forward to the Davis-Swick fight and the Marquart-Leites fight as well.
Okami is rehabbing a broken hand at the moment. It can’t happen so soon can it?
This would be a good fight for both fighters. Bisping’s got a good name for Leben, and Lebens got a good overall game and will test Bisping’s chin.
I say add a couple of non-main event fights and give it to us free on Spike. The Brits will buy the tickets regardless, especially if Bisping is on the card. I’m sure he’d love to fight in the UK again!
balls! im going and im british and im digusted that this is being considered as a main event. most brits hate bisping anyway! bisping silva title shot! now that i could handle whether he deserves it or not!
i am gonna miss chuck! grrrrrrrrr!
no shit… june 7 is plenty of time for gsp to heal up and defend …common
thats less then 2 months no way will he take that fight he likes to take at least 3 months to prepare for a fight im telling you there is a zero chance you will see GSP fight before july if we are lucky we will see him fight in august. which will be a one round killing of fitch
I can’t believe you’d suggest moving the Wanderlei-Jardine fight off the 84 card…
That is one of the main attractions and for you to mention that as a possibility is irresponsible.
I’m all in favor of CREATING a new match-up for that card rather than shuffling around existing fights and potentially watering down what is likely the best UFC card so far this year…
The 84 card already lost a big-time matchup in Rashad vs Thiago Silva, so F**k You if you think it’d be cool to just move over a fight that has already been promised to those who have paid good money for a ticket.
UFC — PLEASE DO NOT FURTHER MODIFY THE 84 CARD!!!
Thank you.
this rumor came out yesterday, and I said the same thing!! 84 is stacked, don’t take it away from us, but Silva is an overseas draw due to all his fights in Japan. It wouldn’t surprise me, but I’m praying they don’t do it. June 7 is looking VERY weak, so just keep it that way, no fight short of anderson silva/gsp can save this card
I actually wouldnt mind moving the wanderlei fight over to UFC 85.
Think about it, UFC 84 is stacked, and it has a few prelims that I want to see like Sokoudjou vs. Nakamura
Wanderlei is HUGE in EUROPE!!!! and June 7th happens to be my bithday….so I wouldnt complain, its only like 10 days apart. Come on, I could wait 10 days to watch a Wanderlei fight.
whoa..my birthday is june, 7 too john, maybe thats why we both are so smart!!
I am with you. I paid $1000 dollars for me and my wife to go live and part of that is to see Silvia/Jardine. Please, please don’t even talk about moving that fight. 84 has been messed with enough already.
I buy every single PPV, but they need a real main event for PPV. Evans/Irving and Leban/Bisbing sounds more like free on Spike to me.
the reason why they will move a fight around is because they have already said it will not be on spike and there is no way i will buy a ppv with evans and irvin and the main event you have to look at the big picture whats good for the UFC
whats good for the ufc is having a monster card for 84. I too buy every ppv, bbut 2 weeks later, not everyone does that, so 85 isn’t gonna sell anyways
BNF, I guess u are right. Many people like u, probably paid some good money because of the wanderlei fight and u deserve to see it LIVE.
Great idea, mania. One of the reasons why I love this site. You guys always throw out alternative options.
Bisping-Leben would be huge in London. The fans might not leave very happy though. Leben has a rock hard chin and a very good chance to win that fight.
I’ll add that the winner of Bisping-Leben gets a shot at Franklin.
Yeah man, that is a good call. I like Leben’s chances, considering he’s a major bruiser, with an iron chin. Leben’s on a roll, and Bisping has a something to prove in his new division. I like this fight, let’s see it happen.
I like the Irvin/Evans match-up, and I called Bisping/Leben a week ago. But that only draws main event status in England where Bisping is from. They will put asses in seats, but not too many ppv buys. Is GSP that worried about fitch? I don’t see that fight going any different than the Serra fight went. Vera (one of my favorite fighters) isn’t a draw at the watered down HW division, he should stop cominh in at an overweight 220 pounds and just cut the extra 15 pounds and be a force at LHW. In my opinion (and as I said he’s one of my favs) he’s content in the weak HW division, at LHW he might just have to work since it’s stacked
You called Bispin/Leben a week ago??? HUH? You have been on here for a month saying after Bisping runs through Tupperware he will fight Franklin. And he will kill Franklin. And then he will get a shot at Andrson Silva - all before the end of 2008.
THAT’S what you’ve been saying, over and over and over and over….
agreed, then yous aid franklin might be to strong and I said lebe, with franklin/ hendo fighting, then the 2 winners. I actually have agreed with you mike
Right on Kev!
ok mike, but I do still think bisping will be a contender, just maybe one extra fight…leben, franklin then silva
He couldn’t be a contender at 205, he was simply too small. MW suits him much better. As of now, I am rooting for him to be successful (unless he fights against Leben or Hendo, but as of now, he ain’t fighting Hendo soon)
i say rich/hendo,leben/bisping, cote/kampan. let b.j fight siva( once he demolishes sherk). and then you have wandi possibly moving down and gsp moving up soon, WHEW! the mws are starting to look like the lws. loaded! plus i forgot this years tuf is mws so there could be a few studs from that in a couple years.
just read brandon vera’s 1 year goal is to be HW and LHW champion.. Could happen, if he can win HW, he’ll be quick and a beast at 205…
if he can get his ass in the gym and make 205. what was about 225-230 for his last fight. he has to beat werdum to remain a contender, no easy task, but ithink he can do if just trains right. training hard is not to much to ask is it?
Irvin? Really? The guy gets one Flash KO against a 2hit wonder in Houston Alexander and gets a Main Event fight?
I really think they should get Koscheck and Sanchez together again..
not a main event, but do you watch mma?? Irvin has some good wins and some exciting losses, I can’t remember a boring fight he’s ever been in…but you probably have only seen one fight against an over rated over hyped Houston “I got no ground game and a weak chin” Alexander
Face it - the only reason Irvin is even considered is because of his record breaking flash KO of alexander, before that ppl might only remember him from his flying knee on terry martin back in 2005
And yes - i’ve been a fan for many years, although i cant say the same for you based on your comments here
James Irvin vs Terry Martin was boring as hell!!!!!!!!, until the flying knee
i would love to see Diego get revenge on Kos.
I like the idea of Bisping against Franklin better. Leben should fight Jason Day after his win over Belcher.
Why have Leben move backwards? He is on a winning streak and has 8 wins inside the octagon. Not too many people walking this earth can say that.
DoomsDay can enjoy himself on the undercard for a couple more events until he gets waxed by a mid-lower-tier fighter in the division.
Why disrespect him like that. He just had his debut and from what I saw was very impressive. He comes too fight, has good skills, and is game. Thats all I ask for. His fight was better than most of the main card. If uve got a reason to say what u did, Id love to hear it.
I’ll give you that Harry Triangle. I guess I was just flabbergasted at the thought of Leben vs Day, lol. Day did win, but don’t get all excited that he beat Belcher. Who was Belcher’s biggest win against so far? Kalib Starnes. Enough Said.
Bisping vs Leben.
Henderson vs Cote? think he might have a fight in July
Rashad and Irvin would be nice. Irvin didn’t really break a sweat his last fight so he should be good to fight.
That would make up for it.
cote cant find henderson he fight almida next which should have huge standings on it for number 1 contender
I don’t think that the Silva fight is big enough to be a Main Event. You need a title holder or a former title holder who has a shot at getting the belt back. Silva/Jardine isn’t that fight.
I think that Leben/Bisping would be a great fight, just not a main event. The UFC needs to put on a really great show as I think the last one they put on in England was a little light.
I heard someone say Nog/Arlovski, contrasting styles with Nog’s great chin. I just don’t know that Arlovski has earned that yet or that his contract is going to get sorted out.
The guys at the UFC have their work cut out for them, maybe this will encourage them to get stuff fixed up with Randy and make the “Fight of the Century” happen. On short notice, but hey, it’s great to think about.
You’re obviously not an MMA fan if you don’t think Wandy isn’t a big enough name for a main event!
i wish it wasnt just theoritical. i love to see this fight.
I don’t care what they do with 85…but PLEASE do not mess with 84…that card is DOPE AS FUCK.
How about the UFC put its negotiations on high gear and re-sign Arlovski to fight Cain Velasquez ?
What has Irvin done to earn a fight against Rashad?
Absolutely nothing.
I don’t understand why they don’t just put Rashad back up against Thiago at 84?! What the hell is UFC and Joe Silva doing over there? That was a great matchup and then they destroy it because Shogun got hurt and you needed someone to fight Liddell so you put Rashad in that spot. Well now Liddell is out so give Thiago a respectable opponent again and make the 84 card absolutely siiick. Don’t start moving 84 fights back so you have two decent cards, you want two sick cards. 84 is dynamite right now, would be sick with Rashad/Thiago but obviously isn’t suffering too much without it but 85 not only needs a big title fight but a good #2 fight.
I say Anderson Silva vs. Okami. Get it done!
Irvin? That guy was getting dominated by Terry Martins ground game before he pulled a flying knee out of a hat. Martin is a 185lb now, and got beat by Leben. Man I hope you guys are hearing bad rumors. This card is in trouble, very few possible replacements.
Let’s just throw it out there… Bisping vs Silva
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I’m sorry, but that’s ridiculous. Bisping has to beat a legitimate fighter before he’s even considered a contender at 185.
Chael Sonnen against Anderson Silva. Noone else in UFC can hang with Silva.
I like Sonnen, but there ain’t no way they would give him an immediate title shot. Only Fedor would get that. Dana White has pretty much said this before.
Yeah but his ground game would sure Anderson a serious problem.
I don’t know about that, LOL. Chael Sonnen has had his chance at the big show. He was 1-2 in the UFC. His one win was via decision to Trevor Prangley, and his two losses were via SUBMISSION. I mean seriously, how many times does Jeremy Horn need to tap this dude out?
I was ready to jump aboard the Chael bandwagon after his loss to Filho, but after hearing everything about Filho, he clearly was not himself that night, and he STILL got the victory.
Chael Sonnen = Instant Title Shot, LOLOL
Sonnen couldn’t even hang with Paulo. How on earth would he hang with the Spider?? Yeah He was pretty much dominating the fight…. UNTIL HE LOST!!! I don’t care if it was a controversial stoppage or not.
I have been talking about Bisping vs. Leben since Bisping decided to drop weight. Crippler by KTFO in t
he scecond.
I’d like to see Leben Bisping, but not as a main event.
We could speculate all day but bottom line: it would be so sad if Irvin vs Rashad is the main event. lol. Not even the hardcore fans would get excited about that! Bisping WOULD be the ace up the sleeve. Doubt he’s on medical suspension. lol.
How about BROCK vs CONGO?!?!!! How the hell is UFC going to have 2 giants like that under contract and NOT make them fight?
Brock already has his next fight against the hammer.
Get Alistair Overeem. Rob him from whatever Strikeforce and toss him in with Rashad at 205.
Never going to happen but I’d like to see it.
Scratch whatever above. I was about to say whatever organisation but then I remembered.
well i had already paid like 200 pounds for ufc 85 and liddel rashad was the only fight i was looking forward too this is going to be the worst ufc ever and just my luck iv spent 200 pound on it
I say the UFC gets off it’s ass and signs Arlovski to whatever deal he wants. Make him fight on this card, and just feed him someone. Everyone loves seein Arlovski rip someones head off. He hasn’t done it in a while tho. Hell, Arlovski vs Heath Hearing would be a good scrap, though I’m not sure if Hearing is booked for a fight already.
I know you guys stateside hate Bisping but adding him to the card would make this event very appealing to us Brits. Also all Bisping fans want him to fight a bigger name in the UFC. He is the best guy we have at the moment and we want to see him go as far as he can. The current UFC strategy of feeding him cans does not sit well with the British people.
From what ive seen of the UFC Leben is no match for him. Anyone who can lose to Kalib Starnes should not be mentioned in the same breath. I would love to see him fight Nate Quarry. He may not win but at least we will know how good he is.
As for the rest of the card there is only the Swick Davis fight that looks good.
How do you figure Leben is no match for Bisping? What has he done to deserve a bigger name than the Crippler? Get lucky against Hammill? Or that horrible showing against Rashad? Oh I know, that awesome fight against the top fighter in McCarthy! lol Come on now, Bisping as really yet to prove himself, and this would be a damn good start. Just because Leben lost to Starnes means nothing, up untill the other night Starnes was looking pretty good. Bisping is more technical, but Leben has too tough of a jaw, and he would KO the Count.
Also, I would ratehr see Rashad fight a BJJ guy, no more strikers and wrestlers. The best match was Thiago Silva, I doubt it, but it would be nice to see that match set up again.
Toms Bombs, I was going to respond to that brit as well, but than I read that he doesn’t beleive that Brandon Vera vs. Fabricio Werdum or Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites are good matchups. So it is OBVIOUS that he has no clue what he is talking about and is just trying to hype up his hometown hero.
If Terry Martin and Michael Bisping stood toe to toe throwing punches at each other to see who goes down for the count, who do you think will win? Seeing that Bisping has about as much punching power as Nick Diaz’s left jab, I would bet a lot of money on Terry Martin.
Now Terry Martin and Chris Leben DID stand toe to toe and bang it out. And Terry Martin went to sleep.
Bottom line is Leben can take a punch with KO power, AND he can throw a punch with KO power. Bisping hasn’t proved either.
CORRECTION to last sentence in above post: Bisping hasn’t proved that he can do either.
Exactly. Yeah, Terry Martin would most likely KO Bisping.
I doubt they would set this fight up though, they want Bisping to win, which was obvious by them putting him against McCarthy. Lbebn is a threat to most people in the 186 division, save for maybe the top 3 (Franklin, Hendo, and of course Silva). Other than them, he could bang with pretty much any 185′er, just with his solid chin and the bricks in his hands.
Just for the record Leben got destroyed by Silva’s jabs. Bisping fought at 205 and never got knocked out?
You said it right there -
”
Leben fought Anderson Silva
Bisping fought at 205.
”
I know you left the names off of Bisping’s record because there aren’t any. Name one person that Bisping KO’d??? Quick!
that was not the first time starnes ran aways in a fight. he’s a natural coward.
Guys - Bisping dominated Cage Rage. Its not as bad you think. Anderson Silva fought in it before the UFC. Leben is no match - I even remember his terrible showing on TUF.
Hamill and Evans are better than Starnes.
Also Violent Mike why do you disagree with everyone. The main theme is everybody saying it is currently a poor show. Also you always insult peoples knowledge on this website - not great.
If you are watching on TV yes some of the 85 fights are good but for people like me who have tickets you want to some fights were there will be banging.
I was rs for rampage hendo - live it was not that great because you can barely see. after watching it on tv though later it was amazing. I simply want to have some exciting fights.
I’m sorry if I insulted you Billy Roy. I will admit that I don’t know much about Cage Rage. Thier last event that was on Showtime was actually the first time I watched it LIVE.
Some of the potential matchups on this thread I did find to be pretty far fetched.
Also, assuming that Bisping would KO Leben is just not logical, sorry. Bisping has not shown KO power and Leben has shown that he has one of the best chins around. I would bet on Bisping to win via a flying reverse omoplata before I bet on Bisping to KO Leben.
Again though, sorry if I insulted your intelligence. I get all excited when I see a thread about one of my few favorite fighters (Leben), and its near the end of day at work (I only post while I am at work)./
Apology accepted - but i really want to see leben bisping now. It will be a good test for mike. If he loses to Leben I will accept it and accept yu are right.
You tube bisping and watch hs earlier fights. European LHW are legendarily smaller than US ones. Indeed Dana himself said Pride FC fighters struggled at UFC LHW due to size. Bisping has only ever struggled against strong wrestlers.
I have a strong feeling that Bisping vs Leben will be booked for this event.
I like that fight, not as a main eventer but one I’m sure many would like to see. Bisping looked shredded at 185 and I’m curious to see what he has at the new weight. McCarthy v Bisping is not a fight you can guage anything off of. Leben who brings it every fight and doesn’t shy away from a damn thing would be a good test and step up in comp. for him. If Bisping wins convincingly I’d hope to see him and Franklin get it on, or at least a top 5 i85′er… please no more cupcakes for The Count.
I think Bisping/Leben is a great idea. Is Kos available for any fights? He’s been away for a while now.
I back this fight, but i wouldn’t want to pay 45 bucks for this card. I really like the fight though and plans to be a slugfest. I pick Leben in this fight though.
I do not think this fight will happen its to soon its rare that you will see a good name fighter jump in to a fight on short notice they have to much to lose unlike a tim botesh who has everything to gain
Yeah, but it’s not like Bisping needs more time for this fight if it did happen. His fight with McCarthy was pretty much just another spar in his training lol.
Well that is very true i dont think he even got hit in that fight
THIAGO SILVA vs rashad evans for ufc 85
NO don’t change the next card, cause I will be in Vegas to see it LOL….
I’m not sure who to put on the card, but whatever, I’ll buy the card just to watch Vera, so to me