• UFC on Fox 2

Bisping silences critics but misses out on title shot

ESPN staff
January 29, 2012
Michael Bisping turned in one of the best performances of his career against Chael Sonnen, but it wasn't enough © Getty Images
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Michael Bisping answered every uneducated critic who labelled him "overrated" on Saturday night, but ultimately a dogged Chael Sonnen and - perhaps - a harsh judging decision cost him a title shot at Anderson Silva in the UFC on Fox 2 co-main event.

Bisping headed for Chicago with many observers from across the pond predicting the beating of his life from middleweight force Sonnen. What transpired was a fight where Sonnen only got his way in the third round, but it was still enough for a unanimous 30-27 29-28 29-28 decision.

The prize on offer was a trip to Brazil to fight the man nobody has ever beaten in the UFC: Anderson Silva. Sonnen has had his chance once before and failed - after a quite magnificent effort. Bisping sensed this was his time, and he turned in a performance worthy of No. 1 contender status.

Sonnen came looking for the takedown and put the Briton on his back immediately, but the crowd watched almost in amazement as Bisping easily got back to his feet. By the end of the round the American landed another takedown as well as a hard right, but Bisping was clearly the stronger man, landing knees out of the clinch and allowing his hands to fly impressively.

The opening stanza was unbelievably close, an either-way call, but the second was undoubtedly Bisping's (except in the eyes of the judge who rendered a 30-27 call). The Brit owned the clinch, avoided the mat and peppered Sonnen on his feet.

Then came the fight-clincher, the dominant third from Sonnen, who took Bisping down early, took his back and then transitioned into full mount. Barely any damage was registered but the control was all Sonnen's, and it proved enough to take the fight despite the fact Bisping finished on top landing elbows.

Chance ultimately missed for Bisping, perhaps wrongly when it came to the judges, but critics forever silenced.

The main card opened up with the biggest victory of Chris Weidman's career, after the American defeated Demian Maia on 11 days' notice. In what was almost exclusively a stand-up battle, Weidman's biggest enemy proved to be fatigue as he edged a unanimous 29-28 points call (initially incorrectly announced as a split decision) for his eighth career victory.

Maia came in with stiff Muay Thai, easily picked off by Weidman who reddened his rival's face with counters to the head and body before landing a late takedown. Neither man seemed too willing to engage on the mat although Weidman did land a takedown into side control in the second, and Maia only truly became a factor as the clocked ticked on - another frustrating performance from the once-lethal jiu-jitsu practitioner.

UFC on Fox 2 results:
Rashad Evans def. Phil Davis via unanimous decision (50-45 50-45 50-45)
Chael Sonnen def. Michael Bisping via unanimous decision (30-27 29-28 29-28)
Chris Weidman def. Demian Maia via split decision (29-28 28-29 29-28)
Evan Dunham def. Nik Lentz via TKO (doctor's stoppage) - Round 2, 5:00
Mike Russow def. John-Olav Einemo via unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 30-27)
Cub Swanson def. George Roop via TKO - Round 2, 2:22
Charles Oliveira def. Eric Wisely via submission (calf crusher) - Round 1, 1:43
Michael Johnson def. Shane Roller via unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 29-28)
Lavar Johnson def. Joey Beltran via KO - Round 1, 4:24
Chris Camozzi def. Dustin Jacoby via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 3, 1:08

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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