• UFC 152

Bisping the technician beats Stann

Michael Bisping produced some eye-catching slams © Getty Images

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Michael Bisping proved himself to be one of the UFC's top technicians at UFC 152 on Saturday, outboxing and outwrestling Brian Stann for a unanimous decision victory that could have serious title implications in the future.

Told months ago by matchmaker Joe Silva that victory could book a title showdown - a long awaited title showdown - with Anderson Silva, Bisping delivered on his part of the bargain with a unanimous decision victory over Stann in Toronto. All three judges scored the bout 29-28 to the Brit, although even that was generous to the American with Bisping deserving all three rounds.

One upon a time current champion Silva booked his own title shot by landing 100 per cent of strikes thrown against Chris Leben. On Saturday, Bisping landing a highly impressive 79% against Stann, in addition to three huge slam takedowns.

The first round was the one awarded to Stann, after he rocked Bisping with a big right late in the opening five minutes. However, the rest of the stanza saw Bisping punish him with the jab as Stann's face quickly reddened.

A massive slam takedown early in round two by Bisping actually worked in Stann's favour as the American reversed matters to do some damage on the ground, but Bisping landed some nice knees out of the clinch and returned to his slick boxing to take the round.

The third was all Bisping as he hammered Stann with slams and jabs, finding a home for his right hand as he rode the victory home. The pace pushed by the Brit - who had a resting heart rate of 34 beats per minute three weeks before the fight - was telling, and Bisping called for a title shot after receiving the verdict.

"Credit to Brian Stann, he is an amazing competitor. I always try to push the pace, I've never been a natural athlete, I just want this so bad," Bisping said.

"This hunger for a title shot isn't going away, come on the UFC, step up."

UFC 152 results:
Jon Jones def Vitor Belfort via submission (americana) at 0:54 of round 4
Demetrious Johnson def Joseph Benavidez via split decision 48-47 47-48 49-46
Michael Bisping def Brian Stann via unanimous decision 29-28 29-28 29-28
Matt Hamill def Roger Hollett via unanimous decision 29-28 30-27 30-27
Cub Swanson def Charles Oliveira via KO at 2.40 of round 1
Vinny Magalhaes def Igor Pokrajac via submission (armbar) at 1.14 of round 2
TJ Grant def Evan Dunham via unanimous decision 29-28 30-27 29-28
Sean Pierson def Lance Benoist via unanimous decision 29-28 29-28 29-28
Marcus Brimage def Jimy Hettes via unanimous decision 29-28 29-28 29-28
Seth Baczynski def Simeon Thoresen via KO at 4.10 of round 1
Mitch Gagnon def Walel Watson via submission (rear naked choke) at 1.09 of round 1
Kyle Noke def Charlie Brenneman via TKO at 0.45 of round 1

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