It appears as if Michael Bisping, fresh off his spitting incident at UFC 127, might have awoken a dormant giant. Specifically, former number one UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen. In an email obtained by MMA Weekly (that is likely an artificial plant used to drum up interest), Sonnen reaches out to UFC matchmaker Joe Silva pleading for a fight with Bisping. To wit:
Michael Bisping And The Redemption Of Chael Sonnen
Former number one UFC middleweight contender Chael Sonnen is asking UFC matchmaker Joe Silva for a fight with Michael Bisping in the wake of the Brit’s spitting incident at UFC 127.
To: Joe Silva, Matchmaker Extraordinaire, Ultimate Fighting Championship
Re: Spitsbing & his tainted victoryJoe:
If you get a chance to talk with him, please mention to your idiot-in-residence Michael Spitsbing it'll be a little tougher to knee ME in the head when I'm charging at him like a runaway train and mincing him through the fence like a boiled potato, should we ever have the pleasure of each other's company for a few (VERY few) moments in the Octagon.
Oh; and I'd suggest to him being a little careful about spitting on any of MY cornermen, since any one of them can beat him up as badly as I can. Thanks ever so much.
Hope all is well.-Chael Sonnen
One can only hope this fight comes to fruition. There are a few reasons why this makes sense.
First, Sonnen needs a fight. Badly. His image took a massive hit after testing positive for steroids post-UFC 117 and his UFC career was formally put on ice by UFC President Dana White after Sonnen pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud. Any opportunity that provides Sonnen an ability to do shtick in the business of fight promoting - something that will, in part, distract from his previous failures - gets his career back on track.
Second, if there's one thing American MMA fans love, it's watching Michael Bisping take a tremendous beating. It's a morbid thought, but the zeal for his thrashing is overwhelming. His exaggerated proclamations about his ability combined with outsider status make him persona non grata. When Dan Henderson brutally knocked Bisping unconscious at UFC 100 and followed up his one-punch KO with a gratuitous diving elbow shot, few fans pointed out how that endangered Bisping's health. Most preferred to squeal online with ghoulish delight. All of that is to say: Sonnen has the skills to defeat Michael Bisping and give fans what they want, albeit not how Dan Henderson was able to. The bulwark of Sonnen's skill set is something most fans or oddsmakers will likely determine is something Bisping can't get through and that's enough to satisfy them.
Third, Sonnen needs a villain. After Anderson Silva’s disastrous performance at UFC 112, Chael Sonnen pounced at the opportunity to take a hold of fan resentment. He channeled their anger into his righteous cause. Sonnen has carefully branded himself as something of a people’s champion. Combined with his unrelenting comedic effects and media ubiquity, it was a potent combination for building his identity and promoting his first major title shot. The problem, however, was that working his game against the best fighter in the world who is neither particularly sensitive nor speaks English had limits.
But not this time. The fan pushback on Bisping has always been present. Now it’s at a fever pitch. If there were a better time for Sonnen to swoop in and do fans a solid, I can’t find it. Provided Joe Silva complies with Sonnen’s request, then it can be said Michael Bisping did Sonnen the biggest career favor imaginable.
While Anderson Silva showed some effects from the verbal assault of Sonnen, he generally pushed through. Bisping won’t be able to duplicate that feat. If the fight is made in any circumstance besides short notice, Bisping is going to get eaten alive. The Brit admitted in the UFC 127 post-fight presser he’s naturally sensitive and wears his heart on his sleeve. That is the perfectly emotional, insecure candidate for Sonnen to humiliate and torture.
There’s no word on what the UFC may do. Perhaps they still want to shelve the Oregonian until more time has passed. But if they’re looking for an opportunity where fight promotion dovetails perfectly with Sonnen’s rehabilitation, I can think of no better moment than this.
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