The time for vengeance has almost arrived for Michael Bisping and ‘The Count’ is as confident as usual. The Englishman, however, insists he hasn’t overlooked the gigantic ‘H-bomb’ that is bound to be on display at UFC 204 when the two men battle for the UFC Middleweight championship. He also believes that Hendo will come forward swinging and that the American has nothing to lose in this fight and that makes him very dangerous.
“ I’m assuming as soon as this fight starts he’s going to rush me and hope that one of those shots connect, because if it does we all know he has the power. I’ve got to be careful, I’ve got to weather the storm to start.”
Furthermore, the champ believes he has figured out everything his opponent Dan Henderson has in store for him. Despite being beaten viciously in the first fight, Bisping believes he will have an answer for those big rights this time around.
“The advantages I have now, I had in the first fight. I’m a better striker, and I’m faster. I had all of this in the first fight, but it doesn’t mean Dan Henderson is not effective. I’m faster, I’ve got the longer reach, better footwork but Dan is just as tough as they come. I’m confident, but that right hand that he has is powerful and he’s got good, very, very good timing.”
The challenger, on the other hand, is probably looking to retire on a high, although he insists that his body could continue for a good four or five years if he wanted to. Henderson, who contemplated hanging his gloves after his huge elbow that knocked out Hector Lombard, insisted that he was not emotional and he was preparing for the bout like any other.
The American also said that he couldn’t give up a title fight. If history repeats itself, Dan Henderson would crown a glittering career with a championship that has been just out of his reach all these years. The 46-year old also said that he has had title shots before but this one stands out as it could be his last bout and “there could be no better ending than to finish on top.”
“I was ready at the last fight to be done, but I obviously couldn’t turn down a title shot. I probably should give more thought to it being my last fight than I do, because it is going to be the last time”
On his opponent, Henderson insisted that he did not dislike his opponent and that he is a good fighter and has improved a lot. He also added that at UFC 100 Bisping came off as the “kind of guy that people wanted to see knocked out, beaten up and his mouth shut.”
So it’s apparent, even if they respect each other, that these two men have a lot to lose and more to gain as they step into the octagon on October 9.
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