UFC 127 Fight Card Preview: Michael Bisping Vs Jorge Rivera
Thank God someone decided to promote this card. I didn't think it would be Jorge Rivera, but I'll take it. His series of hype videos are putting progressives like Chael Sonnen to shame and Bisping is certainly doing his part to make us believe this fight has become personal. I don't really think Bisping cares about a few videos, but he's playing along nicely. Their stare down at yesterday's weigh-ins was epic. An 'A' for effort all around.
As the actual fight goes? I think it is tailor made for Michael Bisping to be successful. His opponent likes to keep it standing and isn't an elite grappler. If Bisping can stay on the outside and force Rivera to box with him he should be able to pick him apart. Even though he dropped his fight with Wanderlei Silva, the Brit hasn't looked bad since being brutally knocked out by Dan Henderson at UFC 100. His fight with Dan Miller looked like a one sided sparring session and he looked pretty impressive in his last fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama.
I just have a bad feeling about Rivera. He’s nearing 40 years of age, hasn’t fought in 11 months and isn’t close to the same kind of athlete as Bisping. I want to believe, but I don’t. Other than the slim chance of landing flush with a strong overhand right, I’m not sure where Rivera has a competitive advantage in this fight.
