Wanderlei Silva’s next fight will be with Michael Bisping, a well-placed Las Vegas source has told Fighters Only. The fight may headline the UFC’s first event in Australia, which takes place in February 2010.
Verbal agreements for the clash have been given, although Fighters Only understands that bout agreements are not yet drawn up. The fight will not be official until these are signed and returned by both men.
Bisping is coming off a win over Denis Kang at UFC 105 while Silva is coming off a decision loss to Rich Franklin at UFC 99. That fight took place at a catch weight of 195lbs and while Bisping operates at middleweight now, he too is a former light-heavyweight, making a catch weight meeting a possibility.
Bisping would be wise to keep this fight on the ground. I think Hendo and Kang both showed Bisping has a blind spot that is very vunerable. I think at this stage in Wandy's career Bisping might be able to hang in their with him when it comes to the standup game,but it's not something he should dare risking.
My final verdict:
If Bisping mixes up a pinch of standup with a big heaping helping of takedowns and GNP,he will win this fight via UD. But if he keeps this fight standing just a second too long,Wandy will knock him out cold.
Though this might be a bit unfair to Bisping,I still think the verdict is out on him. He needs a win a against a big name and this may be his best chance at it. On the opposite end of the spectrum Wandy needs a solid win as well. Beating a young gun like Bisping would rise his stock a little higher.
Looks to me like Wandy is having issues with the cut to 185, he's been saying he's gonna move down forever now and it just seems like they are giving him more fights that can be catchweights at 195, so he doesn't struggle to make weight.
This is the fight everyone wants. I want to see Akiyama fight on this card also but I feel Bisping vs. Wandy makes a better fight. Maybe Akiyama would match up well against Nate Quarry? He is a mid level middleweight who is coming off a couple of wins. Also is a known name (from TUF 1).
I like this match-up alot more then what was previously rumored for 110. Bisping has shown some improvments since dropping to 185 IMO. Yet im still not sold on him beating someone like Wandy, interesting fight indeed.
Seems Akiyama gets screwed out of a big match up. Though I think I like this fight better. Makes it much easier to root for Wand instead of watching it on the fence.
i like this match up better as well, as i'm a fan of both sexy and wandy, now i can just cheer wandy on because i ain't much of a bisping fan. can't wait for this event as i'll be there watching it live here in Sydney, Australia!
