The Doggy Bag: UFC 100 Edition

With all of the superb matches slated for UFC 100, it seems that Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson has been lost in the shuffle. Rarely is either fighter involved in a boring fight, and I think the same will hold true for this matchup. What will be the fight’s biggest X factor: Bisping’s handspeed and footwork, or Henderson’s punching power and wrestling?
-- Tom, Hampton Roads

TJ De Santis, radio host: I really think this is Henderson’s fight to lose. Dan often forgets his strengths; and at times, looks to load up with his big right hand way too often. Henderson’s wrestling is top notch, and he if plans to come out and use it he’ll dominate Bisping.

Bisping is tough and can win this fight if he is allowed to get comfortable. However, if Henderson fights a smart bout, the Englishman won’t have a chance to strike from the outside.

The X-factor is Henderson’s discipline. The performance-related bonus checks that the UFC issues are big enough to make fighters fight differently. The most recent example of this was Sean Sherk’s effort against Frankie Edgar. With UFC 100 approaching, I could throw out a guess that the KO and “Fight of the Night” bonuses may have been kicked up a notch. If I was in Henderson’s ear I might try to convince him that there is a bonus for whoever gets the most takedowns in the evening… He might be salty when he finds out you lied to him, but if he executes a win will follow.

He’ll get over it.

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