If Bisping-Sonnen Is Not Made, Bisping-Munoz Should Be
Jason Probst Mar 8, 2011
Michael Bisping (file photo) is a perfect smacktalk matchup for
Chael Sonnen. | Sherdog.com
Those familiar with the above byline know the smile that will appear on this writer’s face if Michael Bisping is next paired with Chael Sonnen. The reason: it could be one of the all-time best fights in terms of pure trash talk potential.
Bisping is an eminently marketable cash cow in the U.K. and a polarizing figure, particularly after his postfight tirade at UFC 127, where he went ballistic on Jorge Rivera and spit through the cage, allegedly at Rivera’s corner. Throw in the blatantly illegal knee Bisping landed and you’ve got a heel that the public, at least stateside, is dying to see taken out.
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Sonnen’s six-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission, triggered by elevated testosterone levels due to testosterone replacement therapy, ended March 3. He will next need to deal with getting relicensed, an adventure unto itself.
If Bisping-Sonnen is not made, Bisping needs someone at an equally high level of competition. Enter Mark Munoz.
The “Filipino Wrecking Machine” was sharp and devastating in a 54-second stoppage of C.B. Dollaway at UFC Live 3. Munoz has an aggressive style, excellent wrestling and heavy hands, and he would go right after Bisping -- a strategy that the Brit’s recent opponents have been largely unable to execute.
Fans do not want to see Bisping against someone who might beat him via submission, or a stale decision. They want to see him against someone who will bring truckloads of violence. Munoz would provide that, as well as a nice test of Bisping’s ability to deal with the next level of competition -- something “The Count” is overdue for, at least in the context of his current three-fight win streak.
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