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Michael Bisping wants a "top fighter" at UFC 105, eyes rematch with Dan Henderson
When Michael Bisping returns to action at UFC 105, he wants to fight a top-level middleweight in hopes he can set up a rematch with Dan Henderson soon after the November fight.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported over the weekend that Bisping, along with "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winners and British fighters James Wilks and Ross Pearson, are tentatively slotted to compete at the Nov. 14 event, which takes place at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England.
Bisping discussed the possible rematch with Henderson in an interview with the Manchester Evening News.
Bisping and Henderson first fought earlier this month at UFC 100. The fighters, who were rival coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 9," made no secret of their disdain for each other and heavily hyped the bout.
However, Bisping suffered a brutal second-round knockout to Henderson in one of the night's featured bouts. Bisping was knocked unconscious by an overhand right, and Henderson tagged him with a follow-up blow immediately afterward. (In a post-fight interview, Henderson said he knew Bisping was unconscious when he delivered the second punch but last week told MMAjunkie.com Radio he was joking and wasn't sure if his opponent was out.)
Bisping said he now wants to take on a "top fighter" at UFC 105 to set up the rematch.
"I am going to kick someone's backside in Manchester in front of my hometown crowd then fight again as soon as possible and then rematch with Henderson," Bisping told the newspaper. "That wasn't the best of me in the ring in Vegas (at UFC 100), and I want another crack at him.
"I want a top fighter in Manchester. I want to get back up there straight away. That's what I have told the UFC."
After starting his career with 14 consecutive wins, Bisping (17-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) suffered a split-decision loss to Rashad Evans in late 2007. He had posted three consecutive wins before the loss to Henderson, his first career loss via stoppage.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported over the weekend that Bisping, along with "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winners and British fighters James Wilks and Ross Pearson, are tentatively slotted to compete at the Nov. 14 event, which takes place at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England.
Bisping discussed the possible rematch with Henderson in an interview with the Manchester Evening News.
Bisping and Henderson first fought earlier this month at UFC 100. The fighters, who were rival coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 9," made no secret of their disdain for each other and heavily hyped the bout.
However, Bisping suffered a brutal second-round knockout to Henderson in one of the night's featured bouts. Bisping was knocked unconscious by an overhand right, and Henderson tagged him with a follow-up blow immediately afterward. (In a post-fight interview, Henderson said he knew Bisping was unconscious when he delivered the second punch but last week told MMAjunkie.com Radio he was joking and wasn't sure if his opponent was out.)
Bisping said he now wants to take on a "top fighter" at UFC 105 to set up the rematch.
"I am going to kick someone's backside in Manchester in front of my hometown crowd then fight again as soon as possible and then rematch with Henderson," Bisping told the newspaper. "That wasn't the best of me in the ring in Vegas (at UFC 100), and I want another crack at him.
"I want a top fighter in Manchester. I want to get back up there straight away. That's what I have told the UFC."
After starting his career with 14 consecutive wins, Bisping (17-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) suffered a split-decision loss to Rashad Evans in late 2007. He had posted three consecutive wins before the loss to Henderson, his first career loss via stoppage.
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