Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben
The main event features two Ultimate Fighter alumni in also-ran Chris Leben and winner Michael Bisping (-215 Bisping/+175 Leben). If nothing else, Bisping will have the energy of the crowd behind him, as he is easily the most popular British fighter in the world.
Chris Leben, still mostly remembered for peeing in people’s beds, punching out doors, getting drunk, and crying, is nevertheless a formidable opponent at 185 pounds. A puncher with an iron chin and one punch knockout power in his hands, Leben has carved out a niche for himself in the Middleweight division despite his utter lack of a ground game. Leben’s gameplan in this fight will be predictable, for sure: taking the fight to Bisping, getting up in his face and, in Leben’s words, “throwing some bolos”.
Unfortunately for Leben, Bisping is a fairly formidable striker himself. While he lacks Leben’s explosive power, he is definitely the quicker and more technical of the two fighters on his feet. Originally a light heavyweight, Bisping dropped to 185, a much more natural weight for him, after a controversial split decision loss to current Light Heavyweight #1 contender Rashad Evans. No longer giving up a substantial amount of weight and power to his opponents, Bisping is poised to make a serious run at title contention in the Middleweight division.
To me, while both men are competent strikers, their ground games will be the determining factor in this fight. Leben is not a total submission novice, but is not a huge threat to score a submission from his guard. Bisping probably has a better bottom game than Leben does, but more importantly, he has a massive advantage in wrestling.
I see that being the deciding factor in this fight. While it’s possible Bisping could win a stand up war with Leben, it is a risky proposition, and Bisping would be better served to take Leben down and attempt to control the fight from the top.
That’s how I see the fight playing out, with Bisping on top of Leben doling out punishment on his way to a lopsided unanimous decision.
More details on this event can be found at our UFC 89 predictions page or for odds visit the UFC 89 odds page.
