Bisping and Henderson Rumored as ‘TUF 9? Coaches
(Will Michael Bisping follow in Forrest Griffin’s footsteps? Photo courtesy of daylife.com)
Michael Bisping is hot favourite to be named as one of the coaches on the new series of The Ultimate Fighter…
The UFC have not yet offered Bisping the coach’s role on TUF 9 because he is scheduled to fight Chris Leben at UFC 89 at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena on October 18.
But SunSport understands Dana White will immediately hand the British star a contract to appear on the show if he overcomes Leben next month.
It is believed Dan Henderson will coach the US team, with the TUF 9 finale featuring him in a clash for the #1 middleweight contender’s spot against Bisping, which could take place in December next year.
As the UFC’s only British star, it makes sense that the TUF 3 winner would be chosen as a coach for the “U.S. vs. U.K.” season of The Ultimate Fighter. But it also makes you wonder who will be picked to lead the British team if Bisping loses to Leben. We’re assuming it would still be Bisping — but then would a fight between him and Hendo really be a #1 contender match? When contacted by MMA Weekly, The Count confirmed that he hadn’t been made an offer yet, but he’d certainly be open to one:
“I saw it all over the internet the other night, U.K. vs. the U.S., I think it’s an amazing idea,” commented Bisping. “I think it might inject a little bit of life into the “Ultimate Fighter”. The “Ultimate Fighter” is a great show, but obviously you know it’s season after season, maybe this can mix it up a little bit. I think it will make some funny goings on in the house as well you know. All to do with the language barrier and the cultural differences and things like that. I think it’s a great idea and I look forward to seeing it.”
If this rumor turns out to be true, the best part about a Bisping vs. Hendo season of TUF is that it doesn’t tie up a championship belt like past seasons of the show have. Anderson Silva would still be free to defend his middleweight title and book light-heavyweight superfights as he pleases. Bisping is already popular enough to challenge for the title, and a win over Dan Henderson would cement his credibility. Unfortunately, there’s the even more likely scenario that Henderson would beat Bisping — and few fans are demanding a Silva/Henderson rematch at this point. Would you rather see Hendo get destroyed again, or Bisping get destroyed for the first time?
Written by admin on September 21st, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on UK and coaches and TUF 9 and General and Michael Bisping and The Ultimate Fighter and UFC and Dan Henderson and MMA.