Do you agree with the UFC’s decision to book Michael Bisping for UFC Fight Night 122?
FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch Columnist
Yeah, why not? The UFC needed a new headliner. Bisping wants a win and wants to quickly get back to fighting, and Kelvin Gastelum needed a new opponent. It’s a win-win for all involved. I like the decision; it’s certainly better than canceling the fight or just trying to bump up a fight into the main event slot. Yeah, it’s a Fight Pass card but this was a good opening for Bisping to get back in there.
DAVE KOULA, MMATorch Contributor
I am a huge fan of Michael Bisping, and I truly care about his well-being, but I really think a lot of people are way off base on this one. Yes, Bisping has taken a lot of damage over the years, he’s got issues with his eye, he’s got issues with his knee, he’s spoken several times about retirement, he took some shots in the GSP fight, but if he says he’s good to go – I believe him. Despite all those factors people throw around he constantly looks fantastic in his fights win or lose. I believe he’s still in his prime and if he wants to fight next weekend you better believe he’ll be in shape and ready to rock.
Also just because the UFC is sanctioning this fight themselves with no athletic commission, don’t kid yourselves that they haven’t already put Bisping through extensive medicals to ensure he is in fact fight-ready. Dana cares a lot about Bisping and what he’s done for the company over the years; he’s absolutely one of those guys that if he thinks he’s putting himself in harm’s way he’d pull him out. I truly believe that. Good on Bisping taking the fight, getting two paydays for one fight camp, and possibly continuing toward his story book ending.
JOSHUA GARCIA, MMATorch Contributor
The UFC is setting a horrible precedent here by allowing Bisping to fight while he just received a 30-day medical suspension by the New York State Athletic Commission. Although his fight with Gastelum is not under New York commission, the UFC should still respect these suspensions handed out. This sends a signal that the UFC ultimately does not care about the fighter’s health but only cares about making money and not having to drop a fight off a card.
SEAN COVINGTON, MMATorch Contributor
I disagree with it. Bisping’s comeback should have been a big story that happened like six months to a year from now, setting up a GSP rematch. Bisping is too marketable to just throw into a fight randomly.
JOHN HARRIS, MMATorch Contributor
No, I am totally against this. Twenty-one days is way too quick of a turnaround for any fighter that went three rounds. Bisping was choked completely out and should not be stepping back in the octagon for the next few months. I know Anderson Silva left the UFC in a tough spot by failing another drug test but the safety of the fighters should be the top priority of the UFC. There are plenty of people who could have filled that spot but Bisping should have never been one of them.
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