UFC matchmaker and other officials continue to work over time to cobble together a solid UFC 85: “Bedlam” fight card for the June 7 pay-per-view (PPV) event that takes place at the O2 Arena in London, England.
This time it’s Jason Day who has been asked to step up and fill-in for the incarcerated Chris Leben and fight hometown favorite, Michael Bisping, in a middleweight showdown slated for the main card.
Talk about one hell of an opportunity for the Canadian native to step up big against one of the promotion’s most marketed fighters, eh?
Day is an extremely tough — albeit relatively unknown — fighter who wowed fans and critics alike with his knockout of Alan Belcher at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre 2″ on April 19. He was an underdog heading in to the bout, meaning most did not expect him to win … especially the way that he did.
It was an impressive Octagon debut, and in the UFC world where no good deed goes unpunished, Day has been rewarded with a high profile fight against the charismatic The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 205-pound champion.
Bisping is fresh of a dominant performance at UFC 83 himself, putting it on Charles McCarthy for the majority of the first round. “Chainsaw” could not answer the bell for the second frame because of an arm injury and Bisping secured his first win at 185.
This is actually a very tricky fight for Bisping — Day is a very well-rounded fighter who appears to improve fight after fight. This can and will more than likely be a very competitive bout. He is not a “can” or some other sacrificial lamb who the UFC is “feeding” Bisping.
Day has got some nice skills and will look to capitalize on a great opportunity. While the Leben fight had fireworks written all over it, don’t write this one off too quick … it should be an entertaining scrap.
For the most recent UFC 85 fight card click here.
May 9th, 2008
Hmm…I guess
“Day has been rewarded with a high profile fight against the charismatic The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3 185-pound champion.”
Kendall Grove was the 185lb contract winner and Bisping was the 205lb.
I’m interested in seeing Day fight again, but I don’t like this matchup. The UFC needed a bigger name to fight Bisping. They should have scrapped the TUF 7 Finale fight between Kendall Grove and Evan Tanner. Then Bisping could have fought Grove or Tanner. And Day could have fought the other of the two at the finale. That sounds better to me. Oh well. I’m not knocking Jason Day, but with the loss of a REAL main event, they really should have Bisping fighting against a bigger name. Not someone with one undercard UFC win.
VM: I could not agree more….good stuff!
Agreed. I like your proposal better.
Me too…..if not, it should be free on SPIKE
Gracias.
Attention Bitches!!!!!!!!!!1
Affliction’s 1st event is OFFICIALLY ON!!!! Its called “Afliction Banned” or something like that and both the Fedor vs. Sylvia and Barnett vs. Rizzo fights have been confirmed!!!!!!!!!!
President or VP o f Affliction Clothing made the announcement today!
LONG LIVE KING FEDOR!!!!!!
LOL John blew his load. lets just hope the card lives up to how it looks. I hope Timmy KO’s Fedor that way Randy
s fight with Fedoris useless
1st!! right here! look at me!! oh wait I would be a complete tool to write that. hint hint
john. is it gonna be on ppv? i would think so. hope so to.
MMAweekly (Tito Ortiz):
“At this point it’s pretty much stopped,” he said of the contract negotiations. “I gave them my first offer. They came back at me with some totally… I thought was ridiculous (offer). I held out, and I held out, and I held out until they gave me something else, which was a six-fight contract, and I don’t want to be held down for six fights with them.
“I want to go to a company that they’ve got respect, that’s the biggest thing. It’s not about the money, people got to understand, the money’s going to be there no matter what. It’s about a fair cut and being respected as a champ, as the fighter I am.”
After his May 24 fight against Lyoto Machida, Ortiz stated he has a 60-day waiting period before he can negotiate with another company. During that time he plans on attending some shows, checking out the production value and how the various organizations handle promoting their events.
Good stuff. Thanks.
This is a terrible fight for Bisping to accept! Day has the name of a “can” (in the eyes of most fans) but much more skills then a “can. Bisping wont have much to gain with a win, and he has a lot to loose. Its too much of a risk, with little reward (for his career).
Day is no pushover, the problem is that not to many people know about him. I hope no one misinterprets this post and thinks that I am bashing Day’s fighting ability because I am not…I am fully aware of how dangerous he is and thats why I think its a bad idea for Bisping….He is just to good of a fighter, that is a no name, so If I were Bisping’s management I would not let him take this fight.
He should fight Quarry, who isnt that much better then Day, but Quarry at least has somewhat of a name.
This is a really bad idea for Bisping.
Hopefully Bisping wins this fight, but I remain nervous!!! I wonder what the odds will be? If Day is a HUGE underdog, I will have to bet money on him (although I will be rooting for Bisping).
As a Bisping fan, I am worried.
i agree with you here day could easily pull it off! not alot to gain but lots to loose
I hope Bisping gets KTFO
Not gonna happen Hamilton…….. would be the upset of the year if he did though!!!!!!!
hopefully day will be ready given the short notice. he seems like a talented fighter who can pull of the upset. Bisping is just on the card for the uk fan draw, hopefully day takes him to the ground and exposes bisbings weak ground game.
NICE WORK LEBEN!!!!
This is a big fight for Jason and this could really put him on the map if he beats The Count.
Don’t know much about Day…should I be excited??
hey kevin believe it or not im more worried for bisping in this fight than i would be against leben.day is way more well rounded and can finish fights different ways.his rubber guard against belcher was awesome and in the end outsruck alan aswell.this is a tougher fight imo