(C) Luke Rockhold vs (#4) Michael Bisping
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Luke Rockhold may come across as smug, cocksure and press all the wrong buttons in terms of endearing himself to the mainstream public, but it is hard to argue that he is not one of the most talented fighters in the UFC and certainly, in the Middleweight division.
A combination of athleticism, technique, grit and know-how, Rockhold’s dominant win over Chris Weidman at UFC 194 only served to further confirm the notion that he is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the promotion today.
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In their first encounter, Rockhold had Bisping on wobbly legs after a head kick and promptly finished the fight in the second round with a one arm mounted guillotine. Bisping is known to be a volume puncher but Rockhold’s reach advantage and lethal kicks kept him at range throughout.
The script leading up to their rematch, however, couldn’t be more different. As Bisping was eager to remind the Champion repeatedly, “Each fight is different.”
And this is a Michael Bisping coming off, in his mind, a successful Himalayan conquest against Anderson Silva.
Yes, it has been a curtailed camp for Bisping who took the fight on short notice, but feeling fresh and explosive could yet work in his favour.
Especially if Luke Rockhold’s admission that he tore his MCL in his training camp for this fight hinders the use of his kicks, the puncher’s chance that Bisping possesses could well be accentuated.
All that being said though, I would still be loath to bet against Luke Rockhold retaining his belt, and in dominant fashion.
Prediction: Luke Rockhold by T.K.O Round 3
