Bisping: ‘Leben Still Looks the Same’

With Michael Bisping less than three days away from a middleweight clash with Chris Leben at UFC 89 in Birmingham, England, the UK standout made no qualms about what he thinks of his recently rejuvenated opponent.

“He still looks like the same Chris Leben,” Bisping told Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” on Wednesday. “There might be a little bit of a difference but I think ultimately he’s still the same fighter.”

Leben (18-4), who has won his last two bouts with strikes, was originally scheduled to face Bisping (16-1) at UFC 85 before the Oregonian violated his probation with his move to Hawaii and was incarcerated. And while the former Team Quest fighter has spent a lot of time leading up to Saturday’s main event bout talking about how he’s changed, Bisping doesn’t see a changed fighter in the cage.

“It looks like he’s cleared up a few demons in his personal life and that’s great for him, more power to him,” said Bisping. “But he talks about this big change, and I’m being brutally honest, but I can’t really see it when I watch his fights.”

A standout character on the fist season of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2005, the once-troubled Leben has won over half of his bouts with his fists and is known for his aggressive -- if not overly technical -- style. Still Bisping, who grasped the reality show’s third season contract, said he’s not worried about keeping the bout standing.

“Obviously Chris is there to strike and he’s got a big left hand and he’s got a few knockouts on his resume, so that’s something I’ve got to be aware of and something I’ve got to take seriously,” explained the Lancashire native. “But that said that’s not going to stop me from going out there and doing what I need to do to get the win.”

This will be the 29-year-old Bisping’s third bout since moving down to middleweight, a career decision that has gained him a little momentum with victories over former American Top Team fighter Charles McCarthy and Canadian standout Jason Day.

“It’s something I should have done a long time ago,” he said. “I just feel generally more athletic. I feel faster…I feel more explosive. My diet’s a lot better. I feel great.”

Bisping (16-1) has also benefited from a recent influx of talent to his Wolfslair Academy gym. Former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez, IFL fighter Gerald Harris and recent headline fodder Quinton “Rampage” Jackson have all visited the booming facility.

“On the whole for the last nine, 10 weeks I’ve been at the Wolfslair and it’s been a fantastic camp to be honest,” said Bisping. “The gym has been packed every day. There have been a lot of good tough guys to train with. It’s been second to none really. I don’t think you could’ve gotten a better camp anywhere in the world…For me it’s a great confidence boost going into my fight knowing that I’m training with people like this.”

UFC 89 will mark the organization’s sixth trek to England. With the UFC’s recent push, the local media is drawing comparisons between Bisping and some of the region’s larger boxing stars, though the fighter doesn’t see the comparison.

“I’m just a normal guy from a normal, humble background,” he said. “I certainly don’t think of myself in terms of Ricky Hatton or Joe Calzaghe…It always makes me laugh. I just do what I do. I’m happy enough to make a living out of the sport that I love.”

UFC 89 “Bisping vs. Leben” also features light heavyweight bouts between Keith Jardine and Brandon Vera and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou taking on Luis Cane. Bisping’s teammate Paul Kelly will also meet Marcus Davis in a welterweight bout. The event will be aired Saturday on same-day tape delay on Spike TV.