Updated: January 30, 2013, 12:48 PM ET
By Brett Okamoto | ESPN.com
A middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Alan Belcher will serve as the co-main event for UFC 159 on April 27 in Newark, N.J.
UFC officials confirmed the 185-pound contest to ESPN.com. A light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen will headline the event.
Both fighters will look to get back into title contention following recent losses. Bisping (23-5) lost a guaranteed title shot against Anderson Silva when he suffered a second-round knockout loss to Vitor Belfort earlier this year.
The Brit had won five of his last six prior to the loss. Bisping holds an overall record of 13-5 in the Octagon. He has never fought for a UFC title.
Belcher (18-7) had also been a strong No. 1 contender candidate before dropping a unanimous decision to Yushin Okami at UFC 155 in December. The 28-year-old had put together a four-fight win streak ahead of the loss that included three first-round stoppages.
UFC officials have previously announced a heavyweight fight between Roy Nelson and Cheick Kongo, a lightweight bout between Jim Miller and Pat Healy and a light heavyweight contest between Phil Davis and Vinny Magalhaes for UFC 159.
I think they are both talented guys and they have the ability to beat some of the top fighters. Mike might be a little better overall fighter but it should be a competitive standup fight and Belcher has the ability to sub Mike if he tries to go the wrestling route.
Till now I still have no clear idea where these two stand in the rankings.
So Bisping's best win in his last 5 is probably Brian Stann, ranked probably around the top 10 or top 15. Then he loses to the 2nd and 3rd best middleweights in Sonnen and Belfort
Belcher beats a top 15 or top 20 fighter in Palhares then loses to an arguably top 5 fighter in Okami.
So where do they stand exactly? Rankings aside that would be a pretty fun fight.
Anyone would have liked to see Bisping-Cung Le or Bisping-Rockhold? I think Belcher should have gotten Munoz.
I'd watch any of those matchups but IMO Rockhold vs Vitor fight that was made makes more sense for the SF Champion. Maybe Jacare vs Belcher? or Jacare vs Bisping? That could have worked for me. Even Jacare vs Okami. But I think Okami is booked to Lombard right now.
Fun fight. I think it is gonna be another huge test for Belcher. I don't know if Belcher will be able to stop Bisping from working his striking, but at the same time I could see Belcher catching Bisping with a big shot and make things interesting fast.
Bispings losses have come against guys with big power or really good wrestling. Belcher has neither of those. He is a solid striker, but he doesnt really have the one punch, end your night kind of ability. He is best when he gets in a position to overwhelm his opponents with volume punches and kicks, that will be incredibly hard to do against Bisping. I see the count taking a pretty clear cut UD.
You are right that Mike's loses have come against men better then Belcher. But Belcher is better then most of the guys Bisping has beaten. He is more well rounded then Stann since he has the ability to sub Mike if it goes to the ground. I think it will be competitive but I think Mike is probably just alittle too good for him in the end. So ultimately I agree Bisping via UD. But I don't think it's easy.
My first gut reaction is that Bisping wins this one quite handily. I might be making a mistake AGAIN by discounting Mr. Belcher but I think Bisping is a more complete fighter then Alan is and there shouldn't be a possibility of a flash KO by Belcher in this fight. (Enter a flash KO by Belcher and me eating crow on this one)
Belcher had his chance to gain some serious momentum to a title contention, then he blew it. A fight with Bisping just makes his trajectory further downhill IMO.
I love this match up. Kind of sucks that they are both coming off of losses. I see Bisping working his striking nad using his better foootwork and speed to win this.
Yep, said it man.
I was so disappointed in Belcher shitting the bed against Okami. But yes, in the end, loser will officially be the Keith Jardine of the MW division.
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