- Michael Bisping has come in with a popular take on the recent fight between Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira
- Bisping also talked about Colby Covington being the gatekeeper with Anthony Smith
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping shared his thoughts on the recent clash between Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 55. ‘The Count’ believes Holm’s loss was a lackluster performance from both ladies while considering Vieira’s claims of Holm not wanting to fight.
Michael Bisping was bored during Holm-Vieira
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping has lived the life of a mixed martial artist professionally competing in the UFC. He knows the pressure that athletes are under and just how high the stakes can be at the top level. Known for a striking heavy style during his time, Bisping gave his take on the main event of UFC Fight Night 206.
In a live stream episode uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping talked about his reaction to the less than exciting headliner this past weekend.
“It wasn’t like the most crazy fight you’ve seen so the reason I’m saying that is a disclaimer because a lot of times I was looking down on my phone. As we know, if you saw the fight there was a lot of up against the fence. I think Holly Holm had over 10 minutes of control time”
Co-host Anthony Smith weighed in on the debate surrounding Holm’s controversial loss to Vieira. Many people have been vocal in their support of Holm and Smith seems to share the sentiment for her game plan.
Bisping on Covington being the gatekeeper
During the same episode, Bisping discussed Kamaru Usman’s recent comments about Colby Covington being the gatekeeper at 170-lbs. Usman had suggested Covington be the new litmus test for the rising contenders at welterweight as he can beat anybody at that weight not named Kamaru Usman.
His co-host Smith agreed with ‘The Count’ as first but conceded to the Englishman’s argument of the champion being the gatekeeper.
“I understand why Kamaru would say that because of course, in terms of rankings, in terms of succession that’s how it should work. But I don’t know if it should. I don’t know if it should because if Colby is the next best person, let’s assume that he is, I’m not saying that he is but let’s assume that he is if he continues to beat them. Well, that just means it’s going to be Colby-Kamaru all the time”
“It’s the champion’s job to turn away the contenders. It’s not the number one contender’s job to turn away the contenders.”
Bisping makes a fair point of having the king of the division retain his status against other upcoming opponents. Having Covington carry the weight that originally falls on the champion’s shoulders will be unfair even though that’s what the current UFC welterweight rankings suggest.