Franklin-Henderson Winner Next for Bisping

[keithlewis]

Michael Bisping’s next test inside the Octagon will be by far his toughest.

Announced as a coach for season nine of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, Bisping will meet the winner of the UFC 93 bout between one-time middleweight champion Rich Franklin and former dual Pride Fighting Championships titleholder Dan Henderson. The Franklin-Henderson victor will also coach against Bisping on TUF; a Spike TV representative on Sunday confirmed shooting on the show’s ninth season would commence in late January.

Though talk around Bisping continues to center on a potential showdown with reigning middleweight king Anderson Silva, he will have to clear at least one more hurdle before he throws leather with the champion.

“All people seem to be talking about is a title fight,” Bisping said. “You’ve got to earn that right for a title shot. Whenever it comes, I’ll be happy. I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Have I done it yet? I probably haven’t yet. I don’t think I have. I don’t just want to be given it because I’m from the UK. I want to earn that right.”

Bisping (17-1) remained undefeated at 185 pounds on Saturday, as he picked up his third consecutive victory with a unanimous decision against Chris Leben at UFC 89 in Birmingham, England. The 29-year-old fought a measured tactical fight and refused to engage in a brawl with the cornrowed American. Bisping kept his distance, abused Leben with clean strikes to the head and used masterful footwork and movement in snapping his opponent’s two-fight winning streak.

“You’ve got to win fights, and that’s what I’m doing,” Bisping said. “I just take it one step at a time. I’m still improving. With every fight, I’m getting better and better.”

Leben (18-5) likes the skills Bisping brings to the cage.

“After the fight, Michael’s got to do the same thing any martial artist has to do -- re-evaluate his situation and figure out what the next fight is,” Leben said. “I can’t tell you if he’s going to do the right things or the wrong things, but if he does the right things, he’s definitely got the tools to get where every one of us wants to go. He beat me, and I thought I was going to the top.”

No matter who’s next on Bisping’s plate, the Brit’s level of competition figures to rise considerably. Franklin (24-3) has been defeated by only two men -- Silva (twice) and unbeaten light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida. Henderson (23-7), a two-time Olympian, has never been knocked out in 11 years of mixed martial arts competition and holds high-profile victories against Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort and Kazuo Misaki.

“I want to beat the best guys in the division,” Bisping said. “I’m going to get the opportunity, and I want to take it with both hands.”

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