Jackson and Henderson Set to Make History
Hamill vs. Bisping
Sep 7, 2007
Matt
Hamill (Pictures) vs. Michael Bisping (Pictures)
In the culmination of a rivalry that first brewed during the third season of "The Ultimate Fighter," Matt Hamill (Pictures) and Michael Bisping (Pictures) will settle their bad blood and possibly resolve their disagreement over the quality of Tito Ortiz (Pictures)'s pasta. Culinary clashes aside, this is a pivotal fight for both men if either is going to step out of the long shadow cast by their time as reality television stars.
Hamill's tenure on the show was defined not by his in-cage
performance but by his disability. Born deaf but with a natural
affinity for wrestling, Hamill was a Division-III national
champion. Now he's parlayed those skills into a 3-0 MMA record.
While no one can deny Hamill's wrestling ability, he is a long way from becoming a refined mixed martial artist. Against Rex Holman (Pictures) at UFC 68, for instance, Hamill was unbearably sloppy. He may not be ready for the man who turned the third season of "The Ultimate Fighter" into his own personal highlight reel.
He's only improved since.
Despite some dicey moments against Eric Schafer (Pictures) and Elvis Sinosic (Pictures), Bisping's record now stands at 13-0. He may be moving down to middleweight soon, but first "The Count" will try to deliver at least one more solid performance at 205 pounds.
Hamill puts opponents on their backs, but he hasn't shown any follow-up offense on the ground. The days of the offensively challenged wrestler are long gone, and the effectiveness of Hamill's wrestling is likely to be compromised the second Bisping sticks a fist in his face.
Even if Hamill has somehow improved his conditioning and striking, Bisping simply has too much of an edge in both categories for Hamill to overcome.
As Pablo Neruda once said, "You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming." Hamill won't stop Bisping either. The Count finishes Hamill with a series of knees from the clinch early in the second round.
In the culmination of a rivalry that first brewed during the third season of "The Ultimate Fighter," Matt Hamill (Pictures) and Michael Bisping (Pictures) will settle their bad blood and possibly resolve their disagreement over the quality of Tito Ortiz (Pictures)'s pasta. Culinary clashes aside, this is a pivotal fight for both men if either is going to step out of the long shadow cast by their time as reality television stars.
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While no one can deny Hamill's wrestling ability, he is a long way from becoming a refined mixed martial artist. Against Rex Holman (Pictures) at UFC 68, for instance, Hamill was unbearably sloppy. He may not be ready for the man who turned the third season of "The Ultimate Fighter" into his own personal highlight reel.
A favorite to win the Dana White sweepstakes from the word go,
Bisping had little trouble dispatching his housemates thanks to a
wealth of experience in Cage Rage and actual talent -- something in
short supply during that particular season.
He's only improved since.
Despite some dicey moments against Eric Schafer (Pictures) and Elvis Sinosic (Pictures), Bisping's record now stands at 13-0. He may be moving down to middleweight soon, but first "The Count" will try to deliver at least one more solid performance at 205 pounds.
Hamill puts opponents on their backs, but he hasn't shown any follow-up offense on the ground. The days of the offensively challenged wrestler are long gone, and the effectiveness of Hamill's wrestling is likely to be compromised the second Bisping sticks a fist in his face.
Even if Hamill has somehow improved his conditioning and striking, Bisping simply has too much of an edge in both categories for Hamill to overcome.
As Pablo Neruda once said, "You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming." Hamill won't stop Bisping either. The Count finishes Hamill with a series of knees from the clinch early in the second round.
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