They coached their respective countries on last season’s The Ultimate Fighter, and now they meet at Saturday’s landmark UFC 100.  Veteran Dan Henderson squares off with the younger Michael Bisping in a middleweight battle, and it shapes up to be what could be an entertaining fight.

I had a chance to talk to Henderson today and he’s feeling good heading into the fight.  People are playing up the “bad blood” between the 2 fighters…after talking to Henderson, I don’t know if that’s as big a storyline.  Does Henderson like Bisping?  No…they’re not going to go for beers together.  But Henderson is focused on Bisping as a fighter, not as a dude, and that’s what makes me really excited for this fight.

When I talked with Hendo, he made reference to how hard he’s worked on improving his cardio.  Dan wasn’t happy with his 3rd round against Rich Franklin, a split decision win at UFC 93 in January.  Henderson knows Bisping is the type of guy who keeps pushing forward, and he knows his cardio is going to be tested.  But how is this fight going to go down?

Henderson is a guy who can stand with you, but his gameplan is going to be to take Bisping down.  Henderson is a 2 time Olympic wrestler and is one of the best “ground and pound” fighters in UFC history.  He has shown an ability in his 4 UFC fights to take guys to the ground and exert some dominance.  He was able to take down Anderson Silva at their fight in UFC 82 and was able to do the same against Rampage Jackson at UFC 75.  His last fight against Franklin was close, but I was really impressed with Henderson’s stand up…but it’s his ground game that is going to be on display Saturday, in my opinion.

That’s not to take anything away from Michael Bisping.  Bisping is a very explosive, exciting fighter and has out-classed his opponents in the stand up game the last few fights.  He overwhelmed Lethbridge’s Jason Day at UFC 85, he dominated Chris Leben for 3 rounds at UFC 89 and completely mauled Charles McCarthy at UFC 83.  Bisping is a great puncher, especially when he’s moving forward.  His knees are deadly, and he can throw them from seemingly anywhere.  I really believe Bisping has a clear advantage in the striking game.

The problem is, from a Bisping perspective, I don’t think Bisping will be able to combat the relentless attack Henderson will put forth.  Henderson will choose his spots in the stand up game, but it will be used to set up a takedown attempt and to work his ground and pound game.  Bisping’s takedown defence is good, very good actually, but I think Henderson hold his own in the stand up game until he can score a few takedowns.   Once it’s on the ground, I think that’s where Henderson will win the fight.

I think it’ll be a good fight nonetheless, and don’t take this as any slight on Bisping.  I believe he is deadly, I just have a lot of respect for the all round game of Henderson.  Thursday, we’ll preview GSP-Alves for the welterweight belt.

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