• UFC 120

'I bring more to the table than Akiyama' - Bisping

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Michael Bisping has upped the ante in his pre-fight exchange with Yoshihiro Akiyama, claiming he is 'far too technical and fast' for his Japanese opponent.

Bisping encounters one of the toughest tests of his career at UFC 120 on Saturday, taking on a man with black belts in karate and judo, not to mention an 11-fight unbeaten run in K-1 Hero's competition. Akiyama has a decorated grappling game, and he is expected to edge any exchanges that take place when the fight becomes horizontal on Saturday.

Having been defeated by Dan Henderson and Wanderlei Silva in two of his previous four fights, Bisping cannot afford to suffer another defeat if he is to maintain his hopes of challenging for the middleweight title. But he insists pre-fight predictions that he has to keep the fight standing are wide of the mark, claiming he is more technically gifted than his foe.

"Akiyama is a fantastic fighter. He's a dangerous opponent, he's got fantastic striking, a great chin, he's an exciting fighter," admitted the Briton, who has never lost on UK shores.

"His last two fights, one was Fight of the Year and the other one was Fight of the Night. So overall, I'm sure he's going to be a tough test for me on the night. He's gonna come and try and knock me out, but I'm not focusing on what he can or can't do. I'm focusing on what I'm gonna do to him.

"I bring more to the table than Akiyama. I'm bigger, stronger and faster than Akiyama. I'm far too technical and fast, and I should be able to beat him up pretty comfortably on the feet. On the ground, I think I'm better than him.

"I think he's a tough opponent, definitely top 10, but I just think I'm better than him. With the way my training's going right now, it's my fight to lose."

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