ufc 89 bisping leben
The 185-pound clash between Michael Bisping (16-1) and Chris Leben (18-4) is back on and will take place at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham, England, on October 9, according to recent comments from UK UFC President Marshall Zelaznik in an interview with SetantaSports.com.

Here’s the snip:

“Two of our amazing fighters, Michael Bisping and Chris Leben, have just agreed to fight. Everyone knows about Leben’s striking power, and it’s the strike fest everyone wants. It’s the fight everyone wants to see.”

Indeed, this has fireworks written all over it — both men prefer to keep on the feet and throw leather. If it does go to the ground, however, Leben possesses a distinct advantage with his underrated ground skills.

“The Crippler” and “The Count” were set to bang it out at UFC 85: “Bedlam” earlier this month. But Leben was jailed for an old parole violation when he turned himself in, which he needed to do if he wanted to obtain a visa to travel overseas to fight in London.

He has since served his time, cleared up the situation and is now set to see if he can continue to stay on the winning path. In fact, Leben is on a two-fight win streak, including a technical knockout of Alessio Sakara at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” last month, as well as a sensational come from behind knockout of Terry Martin at UFC Fight Night 11.

Bisping has strung together two impressive wins since dropping down from light heavyweight to middleweight. He took out Charles McCarthy at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre 2″ via technical knockout and came out with guns blazing at UFC 85, putting away Jason Day in the first round.

It won’t be as easy, however, to pound out the super tough and extremely game “Crippler.”

Stay tuned for more UFC 89 card updates, which is still about four months from now.

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June 27th, 2008    

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169 Comments »

Comment by UKmmaBOY
2008-06-27 09:29:21

Fuck yeah!! I will be going for this fight alone!! Let the Bisping haters comments start.

WAR BISPING.

Comment by john
2008-06-27 09:40:58

This will be a very entertaining fight! I have no predictions about this fight right now, but you all know I am a big Bisping fan!

I will be rooting for Bisping to win, I am just not sure if he is capable against the Slugger Leben…

Should be very interesting to say the least. I say it all the time, the best fights are the ones I cant even predict….This is one of them!

Comment by RealDrew
2008-06-27 09:50:52

Leben doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell at winning. Leben will start swinging, gremlin style, and get KTFO. Bisping is a much better striker then Leben. Should be an entertaining 2 or 3 minutes.

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Comment by BNF
2008-06-27 10:02:43

There is NO WAY Leban will get KTFO. He has only been KOed 1 time and that was agaisn’t Anderson. And even the he got hit about 30 times before he finally went down.

I really can’t wait for this fight. For me this fight could be a main event. Leban his bricks for hands and if Bisbing is smart he won’t just stand there and trade because Bisbing will get KTFO!

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 10:05:46

Would you like to lay me some early odds on Leben if he “doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell at winning”? In that case, offering me 10-1 odds would actually be like me throwing money away, right?

Bisping got rocked by Elvis Sinosic. He isn’t going to be able to take a Chris Leben punch. Plus, his last two opponents were JOKES so his confidence is riding too high right now. He is going to underestimate Leben and get KO’d for doing so!

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hope that this fight takes place this time. It will be fight of the night for sure!

 
Comment by chefdaddy
2008-06-27 10:15:09

Fight of the night? probably K.O. of the night.

 
Comment by DB
2008-06-27 10:32:23

Woah… Jason Day was definatly not a Joke. Bisbing Looked great at 185 this ones a toss up.

 
Comment by RealDrew
2008-06-27 10:45:11

Bisping’s last two opponents were jokes yes, but Leben faught Martin and Sakara…not that impressive. Leben was losing to Martin (who isn’t even in the UFC anymore) before he started swinging for the fences. Sakara who was knocked out by Houston Alexander too, which isn’t saying much.

I like watching Leben fight, I just don’t think he’s that great of a fighter. Not a big fan of Bisping either, but he’s a better fighter. People like Leben based on his style not on his ability.

 
Comment by RealDrew
2008-06-27 10:50:47

Off topic. Who do you guys like in the Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight tomorrow night?

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 10:54:05

I hear ya Real Drew.

Pesonally, I like Leben for his heart and personality.

Tupperware McCarthy isn’t even worth typing about. They had to dig him up out of the ground to fight Bisping. Jason Day had beat an overrated Alan Belcher and was riding high. Then he didn’t even land one punch or kick on Bisping.

Sakara had a 500 record in the UFC LHW division and Leben fought him in his first MW fight, so he definitely had a size advantage on Leben which he was able to overcome. Terry Martin is a banger. I wouldn’t mind seeing him fight Bisping either, cuz I don’t think Bisping can take a Martin punch. Once Terry dropped to MW, he had a couple impressive wins and he was being talked about as being a real contender in the division. Tupperware nor Day will ever be contender to anything in the UFC.

Leben’s biggest win to date is against Patrick Cote. After UFC 89, his biggest win will still be over Patrick Cote, but he’ll also have a win over Bisping under his belt as well.

 
Comment by john
2008-06-27 11:20:33

I am a Big Bisping fan, and I have to admit eben worries the crap out of me.

I would feel a lot better if Bisping were fighting cote instead of Leben….Leben isnt the best fighter but with his Cabbage-like-chin, bricks for hands, and his new found maturity and commitment…He is extremely Dangerus for Bisping.

I will root for Bisping, but I wont be betting on this fight!

 
Comment by Automation
2008-06-27 11:24:29

VM, I wouldn’t dismiss Bisping so easily.

If memory serves me right, Bisping was rocked by an Elvis knee.

Knees rock anybody.

I’m also surprised that you think Day was a joke.

 
Comment by MMAFan1981
2008-06-27 11:34:42

The Leben v. Martin fight was a good testament of Leben’s chin. That was one of the craziest fights I have ever seen. Leben’s head looked like it about got knocked off of his shoulders and 20 seconds later he wins the fight, amazing.

 
Comment by OJR
2008-06-27 12:20:04

RealDrew-

Pacman is the fav.

Diaz is my hometown boy (Chicago) but his competition pales in comparison to the monsters that Pacman has boxed.

Alot of scribes have Diaz in an upset becuz of his chin, rough inside style and big heart.

My brain goes w/ Pacman and my heart goes w/ Diaz.

 
Comment by OJR
2008-06-27 12:23:44

I think Bisping takes this fight via decision. His lateral quickness will give Leben problems. Bisping is not goofy enough to stand in front of Leben. Angles, angles and more angles…

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 13:33:39

Auto, by no way am I dismissing Bisping. I actually think that he will be the favorite to win this fight. I have a few fighters that I like to hate on, and I have a few fighters that are my favorites. This fight just so happens to match up one of my favorites, against a fighter that I love to hate ever since the Matt Hamill fight. That’s all. So of course my comments are going to be extremely biased on this topic. As will they be on:

Nick or Nate Diaz
Dan Henderson
Jon Fitch
Dustin McLovin Hazelett

Those are my favorite fighters, so I will never count them out of a fight, especially while talking about the fight on mania!!!

And Auto, I am sure that anyone else that had bet any money on Jason Day in that fight now feals the same way as I do!! LOL. Basically, I lost the money that I won on Bisping against McCarthy…

With that said, what do you guys think the opening odds for this fight will be? Will they be about even? Will Bisping be a decisive favorite? I can’t imagine getting Leben at +200 or better. That would just be too good. What do you bettors think?

 
Comment by Automation
2008-06-27 13:53:59

I see where you are coming from with the Hamill fight. Bisping was a complete tosser, but he has realized that.

There is probably two fighters I would say I dislike: -

Rob Emerson
Melvin Guillard

Nah three: -

Jesse Taylor

Every other fighter gets my respect whoever their past competition has been or their chances are in an upcoming fight.

I’ve never extracted the urine from any fighter from any fight.

Just leave my boy Bisping alone lol ;)

 
Comment by TheNegation
2008-06-28 10:57:16

Yo Drew, I think Diaz will win the fight if it goes the distance…But IMO, Pacman will steal this one. though i’m still havin’ 2nd thoughts on placin’ my bet on Pacman…

 
 
Comment by UKmmaBOY
2008-06-27 09:52:15

John I feel the same way. IMO early stoppage will favour Leben, the longer the fight gets will favour Bisping.

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Comment by Arnold
2008-06-27 10:00:32

Leben will wear out Bisping by eating a bunch of punches then pound him out on the ground. The only KO is see Bisping getting a early official “Kimbo” type KO…

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 12:37:04

REAL DREW. i dont think the pac-mans power will not follow him upto 135 (lw) and see him losing a decision

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 12:41:17

i meant to say it wont follow him up to 135. i think manny won his first title at junior fw (122). thats too much to ask at 135. can you believe their was talk of him fightng oscar at 147. oscar is getting desperate since mayweather retired.

 
Comment by RealDrew
2008-06-27 13:40:58

Manny is going to have his hands full. Last I heard, Manny was a 4-1 favorite in this fight. If I were a betting man, I’d put a few bucks on Diaz. Manny looked less then stellar in his last couple of fights. Manny will be fighting at 135, so the size difference could add a wrinkle to it. Manny’s power might not be as affective against a bigger Diaz.

Ultimately, I have to go with arguably the best p4p fighter right now in Pac-man, but I would not be suprised to see the upset.

Manny by unanimous decision.

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 18:42:31

wow! 4to1. thats huge. i mean manny deserves his props. i can remember when ricardo mayorga was an 8to1 fav over corey spinks and i though fo sure spinks could win, but the odds on that fight scared me off and boy did i regret it. i can afford to put down $100 on diaz to win $400. i havent bet on boxing in a long time, but now may be the time to start again. ive never bet on mma and probably never will (to damned unpredictable). i stick with the nfl. football is easy for me. i stay away from my favorite team (steelers) and bet with my head not my heart.i think thats what would kill me with mma, im too damned obsessed w/it. lol!

 
 
Comment by Robert
2008-06-27 10:04:52

If Bisping wins… would you consider him in the top 5 for title contention?

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Comment by UKmmaBOY
2008-06-27 10:08:55

Im a huge Bisping fan but I still wouldnt see him in contention with a win over Leben. The are more proven fighters at 185 than Bisping who are more deserving of a title shot. Let him have a few more fights and wins and then see how well he hangs as a MW.

 
Comment by Robert
2008-06-27 10:10:55

Should be a solid fight… 50/50 shot to win for both fighters.

 
Comment by PW
2008-06-27 10:11:32

Top 3 have to be Franklin, Built Ford Tough Henderson and Okami, not necessarily in that order. Are there two other MWs better than Bisping if he gets this win? And it needs to be a convincing win by stoppage or a clear decision. The next title fights are going to be Okami, then the Almeida-Cote winner, so Bisping will need this win then another before he even thinks about a title shot.

 
Comment by john
2008-06-27 11:22:17

Happy to see that built ford tough is sticking!

aGRRE with your entire post PW!

 
Comment by James S
2008-06-27 11:30:38

You’ll like this John. KJ Noons on inside mma talking about hiow Diaz hasn’t earned #1 contender blah blah blah and a fun qoute.

“Then, to add insult to injury, Noons pulled out a photo taken of Diaz’s face after their first meeting, and he asked the cameras to zoom in on it.

Diaz’s swollen, bloodied and bruised mug filled the TV screen.

“Zoom in real close,” Noons instructed. “You see this? This took five minutes. My name is KJ, so I’m going to do a little trash-talking now for you guys. I’m going to make it a little fun. … They’ve come up with nicknames for me for each (one of my fights). For this one, I think I’ll be called ‘The Artist’ because this right here, it’s a masterpiece. I painted this.”

 
Comment by john
2008-06-27 12:01:57

JameS: I read that earlier and it really pissed me off! I tried posting it but Mania wouldnt let me!

Someone should tell Kj “Nancy Boy” Noons that as a champion he does not get to pick and choose who the #1 contender is! Nothing I hate more than a champion that ducks #1 contenders. I really cant wait for Diaz to snap this dudes Arm!

 
Comment by James S
2008-06-27 12:21:33

I agree. It was a total prick move on his part and hope diaz kicks his ass in the rematch.

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 12:48:00

JOHN. i remember about last month everyone was saying that noons wasnt gonna be the champ after the yves fight and look what happened. i guess there must be somehting about noons that just rubs people the wrong way, but to say noons is ducking diaz is like saying diaz is ducking gomi. it doesnt make logical sense that one fighter would duck another after just demolishing him. i think diaz got lucky and caught gomi out of shape and at a bad spot. gomi was winning up until the point of the submission. diaz was losing every second of every minute of evry rnd that he was fighting noons. just keeping it real!

 
Comment by john
2008-06-27 13:06:45

So explain to me why Noons wants no part of Diaz? I never heard real champions cry about who the #1 contender is!

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 13:16:16

how do you know noons doesnt want a part of diaz? he said he doesnt think he deserves a rematch but would def fight him cuz thats what the fans want to see. is diaz ducking robbie lawler as well, diaz dominated him and thats the way it works in bizzaro world where up is down and down is up and everthing is arse-bacwards. im no noons fan but am starting to want to support him w/ all this nick diaz b.s. i dont think noons is afraid of diaz at all. explain to me why he would be?

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 13:36:36

Noons was offered to fight Diaz on the July card in Stockton. He turned it down.

And trust me, Diaz is not ducking Gomi. Given the opportunity, Nick would take the fight on 3 minutes notice.

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 13:47:37

i dont really think nick is ducking anybody, i was just trying to make a point of why 1 fighter would duck another after beating him. is that an actual fact that noons turned diaz down to fight in stockton, or was this gary shaws shenaningans. i never heard anyhting official that noons turned down diaz. noons cant fight him if they (elitexc) wont let him. noons didnt seem worried in this interview. hopefully they will pull this rematch off to settle? things. remember though nick couldnt beat anyone in the top 10 in the ufc when MATT HUGHES was champ. he lost to joe riggs for crying out loud. i repect the fact that you and alot of readers are fans of his( personally im a big fan of nates) but i tend to think his abilities are overrated as compared to his heart wich is not.

 
Comment by RealDrew
2008-06-27 13:51:48

Do you think Diaz deserves another fight with Noons so soon? I for one don’t think Diaz should get a rematch after one fight. After Diaz dispatches Denny, then maybe he gets another fight with Noons.

 
Comment by Haze
2008-06-27 14:03:30

If Noons thinks Diaz dosen’t deserve a title shot, I wonder if thinks he deserved his first shot at the title? Look at his road to the title, he gets KTFO by Krazy Horse, then beats James Edson Berto and gets a title shot against Diaz. Give me a break, this kid is a hypocrite and Diaz deserve his shot.

 
Comment by RealDrew
2008-06-27 14:25:43

I didn’t realize that Noons had only won once before getting a shot at Diaz. Hmmm…I guess Diaz DOES deserve a shot then. What about Eddie Alvarez? I know he’s still going in the Dream grand Prix, but shouldn’t he get a crack at Noons?

 
Comment by Haze
2008-06-27 15:30:23

You could make an argument for Alvarez as well, I just feel Diaz should be first in line since his fight was stopped due to cuts.

 
 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 10:20:47

JOHN. so im taking it that wasnt the real you, saying that fedor broke his arm in training. or is that fake john up to his old tricks again. it was on the josh thompson interview thread.

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Comment by john
2008-06-27 10:39:23

No it was ME and its True!

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 10:41:08

what,s you source? sorry dont mean to be skeptical its impossible to tell.

 
Comment by john
2008-06-27 10:44:52

Go back to the original thread I posted it in!

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 10:52:45

ha! ha! you got me! i was very skeptical and checked every site i knew of and couldnt find it anywhere. i thought it was that fag that useses the same username as you! yes you did almost give me a heart attack ya bastahd!

 
Comment by john
2008-06-27 11:22:59

Lucky I told u the truth now! i WAS going ot make u sweat it out the entire day!

 
 
Comment by icefish
2008-06-27 12:26:22

i think bisping will box clever and take the UD look at Bisping vs Epstein (i think its on you tube) UK do world class boxing

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Comment by john
2008-06-27 13:26:36

News: Big John McCarthy will come back to refereeing at some point…why? because he loves it!

BIG JOHN ON WHY HE QUIT REFFING FOR THE UFC:
“I quit reffing because I was disappointed in some of the things that were happening in the sport.”

BIG JOHN ON MAKING A COMEBACK:
“I’ve been offered a lot of chances to comeback. I haven’t taken them yet, but yeah, eventually I’ll come back to refereeing because I love it.”

ON CB DOLLAWAY - DID HE TAP OUT?:
“CB tapped. Herb (Dean) did the right thing in stopping that fight…Amir has caught twice, so he’s got something to go work on.”

‘Big’ John also talks about times when he blew a crucial call during a huge fight, and expresses his frustration in the fact that there are no ramifications for BAD refereeing. He also goes over the time when he got caught in the middle of a fight while refereeing and what happened. That and so much more in one of TLOS’ best interviews in recent time.

In the newest volume of Tagg Radio’s The Lights Out Show, Chris Fries and The JDH also discuss these MMA topics:

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Comment by john
2008-06-27 13:27:15

In case Mania erases it: Big John McCarthy will be back to refereeing mma in the future!

 
Comment by PhilQNY
2008-06-27 15:18:57

The one F up I witnessed by BIGJohn is i nthe Murillo Bustamante vs Matt Lindand fight..Murillo transitions into a beauty of an arm bar..Matt did the “CBTap”..John puts his hands on Murillo signaling..the match over..For matt to do the “CBbitchcomplainthing”..but he did stop the fight..to re start. Bustamante had beating Lindand..and then had to beat him again in 1 fight..it was a great fight. but that is the only time I saw John make a bad call.. + oh.. Sakuraba vs Conan..he called it too early..but Saku had the rematched on the same night ..to arm bar Conan. another great fight.

 
 
 
Comment by RobH86
2008-06-27 11:04:32

Bisping wins this one everyday of the week. He’s quick enough at 185 to avoid Leben’s haymakers. UD win 30-27 or a second round TKO after blasting Leben with about 100 knees lol.

Egg on my face if I’m wrong.

Comment by john
2008-06-27 12:03:59

RobH: U bring up a great point! I too think that Bisping will realy have to rely on his speed against Leben. Also, Bisping will have to utilize that tai clinch! Tuppaware made Bisping look like Wanderlei with that Tai Clinch!

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Comment by Automation
2008-06-27 12:11:27

Exactly, everyone is saying Leben has the best chin.

So what, you don’t have to knock anyone out to win.

Whatever anyone says, Bisping still hits hard, he was known for it at Cage Rage. Nowadays he is quicker with it.

 
Comment by RobH86
2008-06-27 12:45:58

Yeah. I just think Mike will be able to outpoint Chris. Surely Mike is faster and has better cardio. I think he has a very good reach at 185 so he might be able to move around dart in and fire off those quick combos.

I have come to like Leben. I remember on TUF he was ranting how he was going to smash Koscheck and punch a hole through his face etc etc. Of course that didn’t happen and while I thought his rant was hilarious he let me down. He had some bad fights in the UFC and seemed immature and not fully dedicated. He has turned things around and seems to be much more mature and professional. He has certainly grown on me. Too bad Bisping will send him a step down on the climb to the titleshot.

 
 
 
Comment by john
2008-06-27 13:21:27

Question: I was just checking out other sites, and I read that Bisping vs. Leben would Headline UFC 89….Is this possible?

Sure, this will be an exciting fight, but its not worthy of headlining a pay per view! I hope that this is False, and that Silva/Okami will be added to this card because the UFC is crazy if they think these 2 questionable top 10 fighters should be headlining a pay per view!!!!

Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 13:40:48

HEADLINING THE PPV??? They already screwed the tri-state are with Bisping vs Evans as a headliner. I see Bisping vs Leben being 100 better and more exciting than the Evans fight so I can understand why they would do it, but you can only milk the cow for so long.

YOu know these two, Leben and Bisping, are going to run thier mouths to sell the fight - and I can’t wait.

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Comment by john
2008-06-27 15:47:50

vm: THey have been loosing money in Europe partly because the UFC hasnt provided the English crowd with a fight card half the quality of a UFC in Vegas or Ohio…uFC wants to expand, but they give al the foreign crowds b-leve fight cards. I know Bipsing vs. Leben will be exciting, but they need to give the UK some Big names!

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 18:20:00

thats true, but they tried to get chuck vs shogun over there, but we all know what happened to that card. they need to have a championship fight across the pond. maybee b.j. vs the winner of florian/huerta. diego vs thiago or koscheck would mke a nice addition. remember when we thought lesnar vs mcCully was the main in minnesota. look how that card has turned out. give it time they will get it together. bisping vs leben is not main event material.

 
Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 18:20:53

i meant lesnar vs coleman (before he got injured).

 
 
 
 
Comment by Dubyac
2008-06-27 09:29:23

will bisping ever fight outside of europe again???

Comment by Haze
2008-06-27 09:31:01

No, it’s in his contract.

 
Comment by naturalshadow
2008-06-27 15:49:41

That is kind of annoying. You are always guaranteed to be the crowd favorite when you always fight at home.

Comment by Rilly
2008-06-30 22:17:56

Like all the US fighters in Vegas???

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Comment by braveheart uk
2008-06-27 09:33:45

im sick of this feed Bis[ing to leben & feed Leben to bisping crap!

gettin a litle old bitchs!

 
Comment by emiliano
2008-06-27 09:35:16

WAR BISPING!!!!!!
this will be one of the best figt of the year. Hostile Territory II!!!!!!

Comment by TheNegation
2008-06-28 11:08:05

Emiliano?! Emil Rex?!

 
 
Comment by pamirec
2008-06-27 09:37:32

I really hope Leben’s situation wouldn’t affect his training and shit.Other than that He’ll knock Bisping’s ass out !

 
Comment by tz swanger
2008-06-27 09:41:52

hell fuck yeah . leben going to own bisping .

Comment by mike
2008-06-29 15:17:22

Doubtful…….. V doubtful!!

 
 
Comment by brendan
2008-06-27 09:49:24

leben’s underrated ground skills? ive never even seen him on the mat except getting submitted by jason macdonald…

Comment by UKmmaBOY
2008-06-27 09:55:33

Im pretty sure he was on the mat when Anderson Silva kocked his a$$ out in under a minute!!

 
Comment by Nouvelle
2008-06-27 10:06:43

Well, it just goes to show how much you know. Leben submitted Deweees off his back with an armbar, he nearly submitted Terry Martin off his back with a triangle (Martin was saved by the bell), and he easily schooled Fioravanti with ground control (something Diego couldn’t even do).

Leben has a very good ground game, he gassed out against MacDonald by beating his ass and chasing him down (MacDonald ran the whole time) and he got caught in a modified choke, and still didn’t tap. It’s hardly a knock on his ground game.

 
Comment by Robert
2008-06-27 10:08:03

He also got caught by Deminia(wrong spelling). Has he ever submitted any one?

Comment by Robert
2008-06-27 10:09:01

Sorry wrong fighter… Not Leben

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Comment by PW
2008-06-27 10:15:18

You were thinking of the other red-headed MW, Ed “The Stepchild” Herman. As for Leben, he beat Edwin DeWees by arm bar. He also beat some dude named Brian Sleeman by arm bar in WEC, and he won his first two pro fights by submission, although Sherdog doesn’t say what kind of submission. Could have been by strikes for all I know.

 
Comment by Smokes
2008-06-27 11:04:55

Lol he just said Leben Submitted Dewees

 
Comment by PW
2008-06-27 12:09:43

Nouvelle must have been getting moderated because it wasn’t there when I posted. I don’t piggy-back on other people’s research. I come original, as you can tell by the other three Leben submission wins I cited.

 
 
 
 
Comment by Shadyone33
2008-06-27 09:57:07

I’m glad this fight was back on. I was even saying to someone Why would they put the Chuck vs. Rashad back when nobody wanted to see it in the first place instead of Leben vs. Bisping…

 
Comment by JJ
2008-06-27 10:00:19

Leben has no chance. On the other hand I want to see Bisping fight outside of England. They are marketing him too favourably and need to test him against real opponents in Franklin, Okami, Henderson, Marquadt and these top tier fighters. Hopefully after Bisping the UFC will do this. Its been a big year for Bisping, congrats to the guy, he deserves it.

Comment by Bic
2008-06-27 11:14:45

No he needs to be tested against some real fighters instead of fighting newly added UFC fighters all the time. Seriously Leben is probably his hardest test to date, and thats including his previous weight class. Why don’t you let this guy face some realy UFC competitors before you give him his big break and he trips it up cause he’s overrated. Leben will KO this joker and Franklin would look like Silva against him, Okami would wear him out and then ground and pound him while Hendo wouldn’t even let him past the first round. Don’t joke around this guy is a joker and has not been tested against anyone… Rashad Evans? Jason Day? Elvis Sinosic? Matt Hammill? Does anyone think these guys could take Leben?

Comment by boyer
2008-06-27 15:20:47

will you copy and paste your comment after the fight and admit your wrong if your wrong ?? bisping 2nd round tko

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Comment by b.w
2008-06-27 10:00:23

i like bisping by 3rnd tko. leben always has a chance with his punching power that never seems to fade, but it looks like moving down to 185 was a great move for bisping. i think bisping does everything just a little better than leben except punch as hard. leben has a good chin as well so i think it will take a combination of hand,elbows,kicks, and knee strikes over a period of time to ear leben down and i can see bispng doing this. i think bisping is just a little more well rounded and is quicker as well.

 
Comment by PitBullNY
2008-06-27 10:07:29

Leben has no business being in the cage with Bisping. Other fighters have earned the right to fight him, he hasn’t. I don’t care for Bisping, but I hope he knocks Leben TFO!

Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 10:57:41

LOL. What do you need to do to “earn the right to fight” Bisping?? He has fought NOTHING BUT CANS in his whole career. The only real opponent he had was Rashad Evans, and he lost because a wrestler was able to outstrike him. Bisping is going to get KO’d and I can’t wait to see his pathetic face when he wakes up.

Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 10:58:36

And Matt Hamill has some of the worst standup in all of MMA. And oh yeah, he too outstruck Bisping!

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Comment by Automation
2008-06-27 11:51:21

He didn’t outstrike Bisping, Bisping received the damage from Hamill’s dirty boxing.

Now you are just out and out hating.

Bisping won that fight on his striking, points scoring Floyd Mayweather style lol

Hamill just caught Bisping off guard with tactics.

Bisping is maturing as an MMA fighter and his awareness has been raised since fighting in the UFC. Tactics were obviously not such a big factor to him before.

 
Comment by Psyqo78®™
2008-06-27 12:54:29

Isn’t dirty boxing striking?

 
Comment by Automation
2008-06-27 14:16:11

If a fighter in GNPing someone from half guard, they are effectively striking.

Strike means to hit, so that could cover nearly every hit including elbows.

But my interpretation of striking is standing toe to toe throwing out jabs etc from distance.

The Hamill Bisping fight was scored much like judges score boxing matches, hence the hoo haa with the result.

Although Hamill took him down, had octagon control, was the agressor, Bisping tagged him everytime and scored more points.

 
Comment by PhilQNY
2008-06-27 15:13:42

Automation : Dude..how do you win a fight back pedaling..running scared??? Him..his girl were all surprised at the BS decision he got..including myself..believe it or not..up until that point I was kind of rooting for him..cuz on the TUF 3 Hamill came real cocky..but after that fight..I did a 360..Bisping is a TRUE prick..Hamill class act when he totally got mugged by the judges.

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 15:17:20

BUT this is MMA, not boxing. In watching the fight live on tv (or tape delay on Spike rather), I thought Hammill won the fight. Now, I’ll admit that I was rooting for Matt, so that may have swayed my opinion. However, even Bisping’s home town fans thought that he lost the fight and boo’d the decision when it was announced. Only about 12% of the people watching the fight thought Bisping won (according to poll on UFC.com), but somehow, that included 2 of the 3 judges.

 
Comment by Automation
2008-06-27 16:23:09

Phil:

Ask Lyoto how you win a fight back pedalling…running scared.

I’m not agreeing with the decision, I was simply stating the way it was scored hence the hoo haa.

I also said that Bisping was a tosser after that fight which I, amongst many, disliked about him.

VM:

I agree it’s mma not boxing, hence the reason I pointed it out as scored in that way. That was what all the hoo haa was about.

Again I’m not agreeing with the decision.

But back to my original post, under my definition of striking above, Hamill didn’t outstrike Bisping ;)

 
Comment by Automation
2008-06-27 16:29:27

ps

I wouldn’t ruin my MMA knowledge perception by claiming Bisping won that fight :)

But as our dear prophet Justin Timberlake once said ‘What goes around comes around’ ;)

Bisping got his comeuppance with the Rashad result

 
 
 
Comment by the fuckin man
2008-06-29 11:38:22

amen

 
 
Comment by the_mexicutioner
2008-06-27 10:08:14

Nice

 
Comment by mrfancypants
2008-06-27 10:09:33

USA USA USA USA

Comment by braveheart uk
2008-06-27 12:07:45

Been to the states a few times! i like the northern states! but the southern states just don’t get me started!

 
Comment by RobH86
2008-06-27 12:48:47

Oh $h!t here we go….Hahaha…I’m sitting on the fence.

USA vs. UK…Round 1 seconds out…Ding ding!!!

 
Comment by the fuckin man
2008-06-29 10:59:35

uk uk uk uk

 
 
Comment by parks1
2008-06-27 10:11:03

Chris has great BJJ, he just prefers to throw leather. He’s also been training with BJ in Hawaii, so Bisping better hope he doesn’t end up on his back.

 
Comment by kama kaze
2008-06-27 10:16:48

both are sick strikers and its a pleasure to watch both but it would be Fawesome to see leban, the kama’aina fighter, chase bisping around the ring and mortal kombat finishing move his a$$ “COME HERE!!! FINISH HIM!!! OOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!” making bisping’s knee buckle wit a bomb straight to his chin shattering teeth kim coutoure mouth bloody dropping to the canvas like a ton of bricks, splattering blood on his grandma’s wig sitting at ringside. eeeeewwww. its on! picture me rollin! … but i’m not a bisping hater.

Comment by BNF
2008-06-27 10:31:03

LMAO! Picture me rollin!!!

 
 
Comment by mrfancypants
2008-06-27 10:24:19

If I lost two fights in a row like Bisping I would drop down to 185 Hamil and Evans, Say what you want Bisping lost to Hamil

Comment by Billy Boy
2008-06-27 10:32:32

I think you have a bee in your fancy pants!

 
 
Comment by DonnyG
2008-06-27 10:29:32

Leben smash!!!

Comment by the fuckin man
2008-06-29 13:15:32

leben smashes his face on bispings fists

 
 
Comment by Tony
2008-06-27 10:41:44

Bring your body bag LEBEN as your gettin knocked out!

Comment by Smokes
2008-06-27 11:20:22

Leben will bring his body bag, so that he can put the highly overrated Bibing in it. Honestly who brings their own body bag for themselves? When he’s knocked out is he going to roll himself into it and carry himself away lol. Brits are crazy

Comment by Psyqo78®™
2008-06-27 12:56:07

And why do you need a body bag for a knocked out anyway?

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Comment by Psyqo78®™
2008-06-27 12:57:34

knock not “knocked”

 
Comment by RobH86
2008-06-27 13:25:07

Because it’s funny and it might be a reference to the Karate Kid (but probably not). Watch Reggie Warren Jnr. on youtube doing his take on the whole “Get him a bodybag” line. It’s brilliant.

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 13:43:38

No, its because he’s a hardcore Doug Marshall fan and is rooting for the KD, Knocked Dead!

LOL

 
 
 
 
Comment by shawn
2008-06-27 11:02:59

leben tko 3rd baby lol j/k bitches

 
Comment by markg
2008-06-27 11:20:09

hammil and rashad outstruck him (more so hamill) but since then he has become more of a gnp guy so i think bisping will win this one by gnp. hope im wrong and someone knocks him out. does anyone think their mite be a ‘mike swick vs thiago alves’ contenders fight coming up round 89

Comment by DB
2008-06-27 12:07:35

I think the fight should be Thiago Alves vs Deigo Sanchez

Comment by braveheart uk
2008-06-27 12:09:16

That warrrr rite there

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Comment by efisher
2008-06-27 12:10:21

MarkG - You really see Bisping as a GNP’er? I see him as more of a kickboxer/muy thai clinch fighter, similar to A Silva (easy everyone, not saying they are in the same class-just that Leben got KO’d by a technical striker with reach and a good clinch). And yes, I do see Alves possibly fighting Quick or Diego in October/November for contender shot. I think winner of Lytle/Kos gets whoever does not fight Alves.

Comment by markg
2008-06-28 01:38:59

yeh i do, but maybe thats just cos the last couple of guys crumpled under pressure and he had to pound on them… thales leites would be a good match for bisping if he wins this one, and if he looses maybe marquardt or R palhares

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Comment by PhilQNY
2008-06-27 11:24:45

Chris Leben will drop Bisping..and I don’t think Bisbing wil get up..well maybe not for a minute or so.. Bisping needs a reality check..he is for sure not a scrub..but Bis..is full of himself..he is one of these fighter’s that think there alot better than they really are.

 
Comment by Brendan Ormsby
2008-06-27 11:30:25

BIsbing’s FIRST REAL FIGHT at 185!!!!!!
ALthough CHris is not that well rounded

 
Comment by bostonmmajunkie
2008-06-27 11:33:40

This fight has entertainment written all over it. One technical striker, one heavy handed striker, two great chins.

Comment by Danielle
2008-06-27 14:48:59

Bisping’s chin is questionable.

 
 
Comment by Tony
2008-06-27 11:35:42

I LOVE IT I LOVE IT (HUGHES STYLE) When Leben is ko’d you can’t say shit as we know Leben is no bum!

 
Comment by Tony
2008-06-27 11:36:45

UK MMA BOY WHERE YOU FROM? this will be the first ufc im going too! i’ll be travelling from up north.

Comment by boyer
2008-06-27 15:28:03

this is my 4th im travelling from up north too mate ul love it tony

 
Comment by UKmmaBOY
2008-06-28 03:17:02

Im from Wolverhampton so its about 30 mins away from NIA. Got a mate who lives in Brindley Place which is next door to NIA so will probably be stopping there.

 
 
Comment by "Mr. NC-17"
2008-06-27 11:58:40

Leben is just going to run in there swinging like he did against Anderson and Bisping will use his head like a speed bag.

Comment by tz swanger
2008-06-27 12:03:09

but everyone you forget one thing . bisping sucks . he lost to matt hamil . he dosen`t deserved to call the uilmate fighter

Comment by the fuckin man
2008-06-29 10:54:26

hamil is the ultimate wrestler u suck

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Comment by braveheart uk
2008-06-27 12:11:20

let me guess??? when Bisping beats leben……..

leben will be a can aswell??

Comment by Brian
2008-06-27 14:43:32

I hope Bisping gets killed in this fight. I mean really dead. Then they just drag his lifeless body into the alley and dump him. Then a homeless bumb hollows him out to use as a shelter.

 
 
Comment by Andiesel
2008-06-27 12:22:20

Night night Bisping… Leben by KO Round 2.

 
Comment by facethemusic321
2008-06-27 13:02:06

This is going to be a barn burner for sure!

 
Comment by the_mexicutioner
2008-06-27 13:03:17

Bisping by split decision.

 
Comment by Ro
2008-06-27 13:06:31

yes!! the fights still happenin!!

 
Comment by Andy
2008-06-27 13:09:55

So all you guys slagging off Bisping- are you saying he WILL be the real deal if he beats Leben? Or will Leben be dismissed as rubbish as quickly as Day was?

Comment by UKmmaBOY
2008-06-28 03:19:20

With you Andy. All the haters are out there, Day was supposed to expose Bisping and he got beaten (stopped a little early IMO) same will happen to Leben. Then the next round of excuses will start.

 
Comment by chefdaddy
2008-06-28 07:35:18

I was never on the Day wagon, didn’t know enough about him. But Day worked a full time time job, wasn’t even a full time MMA combatant, so that made me doubt him. Leben is NOT a can. I don’t think he’ll ever hold a belt in the UFC, but he is one tough bastard. He will be the litmus test for Bisping. If Bisping wins in a dominating fashion (not backpedaling landing little jabs like with Hammill) then I for one will lay off the trash talk (unless some f*cking idiots start saying that Bisping can beat Franklin, Hendo or Silva). lol. I predict Leben via TKO late second round.

 
 
Comment by juggalomike
2008-06-27 13:14:48

leben is top 5 over-rated fighters in mma,,bisping will tko this bum in 1round,,,im not a bisping fan but i will be in this fight

 
Comment by Jason
2008-06-27 13:45:24

Bisping via decision thanks to Cecil Peoples

Comment by the_mexicutioner
2008-06-27 13:49:49

Yes!

 
 
Comment by Brendan Ormsby
2008-06-27 13:59:30

LEBEN and BISBING HAVE NO GROUNd GAME…BUT lets talk about what each other has on the ground.
WE ALL AGREE that leben has a greater ko power/one punch that can change or end a fight power, and that BISBING does not, he’s more technical of a puncher less power more combos knees and stuff
BUT on their backs or in top mount on the ground what does each man bring i only know leben trained at team quest for awhile, and they seem to only make good wrestelers, not reall complete mma strikers and not good at jitsu?????

Comment by Danielle
2008-06-27 14:47:29

Bisping is more of a turtle on his back.

 
 
Comment by J
2008-06-27 14:58:22

This is going to be hell of a fight but I can’t wait till Bisbing gets a real test.It seems like the ufc is spoon feeding Bisbing.Giving him fighters he will look good against.But anything can happen against Leben.He’s lucky A.Silva is going to 205.

 
Comment by Ground-Game
2008-06-27 14:59:56

Leben by “American beat down”!

Comment by the fuckin man
2008-06-29 11:02:09

just like kalib then ha ha ha

 
 
Comment by Billy Boy
2008-06-27 15:05:56

Whatever you think of Bisping - no fighter provokes debate like him!

I have watched most of his Cage Rage fights and all of his UFC battles. Leben is tailored made for him and Bisping will overwhelm him by the end of the first round. I love Leben but you have to question anyone who lost to Kalib Starnes.

I know some will disagree with me and I respect their opinion - Violentmike mainly. Lets just sit back get the six pack and enjoy what will be a WAR. I will be at Birmingham and if Bisping loses I will be the first ever UFC streaker!

Alves has to fight Diego BTW.

Comment by Ground-Game
2008-06-27 15:14:10

Well “Billy Boy” we’re all gonna see your naked ass!

 
Comment by ViolentMike
2008-06-27 15:20:28

LOL, thanks for the shoutout!

If I only talked positive about every single fighter, it would get pretty boring around here…

I can’t wait to see the odds on this fight. Bisping will no doubt be the favorite. Betting on Leben at +200 would be a goldenn opportunity. However, if the betting lines were even, my money would be on Bisping. But SHHHHHHHHHHHHH, don’t tell anyone!!

 
Comment by --utaptout--
2008-06-27 17:01:19

Did you see Alves DESTROY Hughes? And how huge he was? I don’t think Diego has much of a chance against him. I was half expecting to see that Alves had tested positive for something after seeing him walk in to the poctagon at that size…I’m glad he didnt though. I think he’s got a legit shot at taking GSP’s WW belt. THATS a fight I want to see.

 
 
Comment by DonnyG
2008-06-27 15:19:15

Wow am I excited for this fight. I really want Leben but it could go either way.

Winner of the could be 1 fight from a title shot. More likely 2.

How about the winner of this fights Hendo or Franklin for #1 contender slot.

Or more likely the winner fights the winner of Cote/Almedia and then they fight Hendo or Franklin for #1 Slot.

What do y’all think?

 
Comment by --utaptout--
2008-06-27 17:01:45

I’m seriously sick of having every fight Bisping is in take place in the UK. Its BS. I know he’s a fan favorite but its really not fair to his opponents. And he’s such show off when he fights there. I’m tired of seeing him dance and act like a he’s a pharaoh when he comes to the octagon. I sincerely hope that Leben KTFO’s him. Then what for the UK’s overrated golden boy? A drop to 170 because he got KO’d by someone bigger and stronger? There has not been any fighter in the UFC that has been handed the easiest fights on a silver platter than Bisping. Just because Dana wants to keep pullin in those Euros from these fans that dont realize that Bisping is simply not a top tier fighter. If he does manage to get passed Leben (I doubt he will), he’d get destroyed by Franklin, Hendo, Almeida, or maybe Joe Rogan the next time Bisping takes the microphone from him during the post fight interview!!

Comment by jdawg
2008-06-27 18:46:37

lol.thanks for all that i was pretty much thinking the same thing but didnt want to type it all.WAR CHRIS

 
 
Comment by bryant
2008-06-27 17:44:53

leban will either knock him out or bisping will win by decision, bisping will not knock him out, might win by sub or ground and pound

 
Comment by brac
2008-06-27 19:20:32

I have never liked Bisping and I have liked him less every sinnce the Matt Hamill fight in England. I def. think this will be an exciting fight and I can’t wait to see it. Bisping is the more technical striker but I don’t see him knocking out Leban. TKO maybe but if he wins it will more than likely be by decison. But I’m rooting for Leban to hit him with one of his wild shots and knock him out cold in England for all of his fans to see. If its close, Leban won’t get a decision in England. Hamill didn’t and the fight wasn’t even close. I had Hamill winning all 3 rounds.

Comment by --utaptout--
2008-06-27 23:51:30

I agree with you on all points except one. Bisping won the Hammill fight, albeit just barely. Hammill was moving forward more, and landed more takedowns, but he didnt do any damage to him while they were on the ground. Bisping did more off his back, and did a good job of counterpunching while they were standing and trading. The first time I watched that fight I was a little drunk, and I thought Hammill got robbed, but the 2nd and third time I watched it, I realized that the judges got it right. Anyway, I thnink Bisping is overrated and I just hope Leben breaks his jaw so we dont have to hear him run his mouth for a while.

 
 
Comment by Tony
2008-06-27 23:30:08

Matt Hamill is over it buddy! your still licking his nuts! Bisping fought Evans in americawhen everyone was hating him and booing him and should of won imo so f**k all people saying he always fights in the uk! Americans always fight in america don’t they? you braindead c**T! thicker then george bush you pal!

Comment by sooper822
2008-06-28 08:23:23

lol-ladies and gentlemen. the president of the michael bisping fan club.

 
 
Comment by Tony
2008-06-27 23:33:50

ITS THE MAIN EVENT!!! SO ITS THE SECOND MAIN EVENT IN A YEAR FOR BISPING! MICHAEL BISPING’S clash with Chris Leben will be the headline fight at UFC 89 in Birmingham.

The British superstar returns to action after his sensational victory over Jason Day at UFC 85 when he faces 27-year-old American Leben at the National Indoor Arena on October 19.

It will be the second time in a year that Bisping has been the main event after his loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 78 in New Jersey last November.

The Count revealed he was delighted to get the chance to impress in front of his home crowd again.

SunSport columnist Bisping, 29, said: “To say I am happy is an understatement.

“To headline the event is incredible and I hope to put on a great show for the fans.

“It will be my toughest fight yet and it should be very exciting for the British crowd.”

 
Comment by Tony
2008-06-28 08:49:16

sooper822 = matt hamill nut hugger club! americans only in that club!

Comment by chefdaddy
2008-06-28 11:36:01

Witty retort.

 
Comment by --utaptout--
2008-06-28 13:39:01

my dad could beat up your dad

 
Comment by sooper822
2008-06-28 21:14:23

actually not a big hamill fan either. i don’t let nationality blind me as to who is a good fighter or who isn’t. i call them like i see em.
bisping = b level fighter

Comment by chefdaddy
2008-06-28 22:24:37

Sometimes the nationality comments just drive me f’ing nuts.

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Comment by the fuckin man
2008-06-28 19:02:55

tell me why franklins so good

Comment by Ade
2008-06-29 05:43:19

Franklin definately used to be really good, but I would like to see more than him winning against a crap Lutter to convince me that he still has it after that second severe beating that Silva gave him. That is why I believe a fight with Bisping would not be as one sided as people are might think. Is Franklin still as good as he used to be, I have not seen anything so far to tell me that he is. Time will tell.

Comment by the fuckin man
2008-06-29 14:14:05

franklin needs to fight hendo bisping would beat franklin he has no gas tank and the best fighter he beat is okami he beat the crow who jason day beat rivara n mcdonald an old shamrock nate quarry who wasnt ready for him evan tanner 19 yr old dewees he was destroyed by silva 2 times got kneed to the face n kod by machida hardly a legendry record am not sayin he is rubbish but most americans make out he is a bad ass if i were bisping i would worry about silva hendo marquart kampman if bisping vs franklin happened franklin better do alot better than the lutter fight cos if he wos fightin bisping that night he wud of lost u get me blood

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Comment by chefdaddy
2008-06-30 07:58:32

Try using punctuation, I got a headache just trying to read your post.

 
 
 
 
Comment by Adamb
2008-07-01 08:03:48

@ Fuckin man: Bisping would beat Franklin? Mate, what planet are you on? I like Bisping and I’m English so I WANT to like him but Franklin would damage Bisping. Bisping has made massive improvements all round over the last 12 months, but first his got to get by Leben, and trust me Leben can a) bang and b) take punishment. It’s gonna be a fucking hell of a tear up. I take Bisping by decision after 15 minutes of war.

 
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