Morning Report: Michael Bisping says 'I've seen better defense on Power Slap' than Paddy Pimblett
14/12/2023 14:00
Paddy Pimblett is back.
It's been over one full year since Liverpool, England's favorite fighting son fought inside the octagon. Before he needed surgery to repair his injured ankle, Pimblett extended his winning streak to six straight (four in UFC) with a controversial unanimous decision win over Jared Gordon in the co-main event of UFC 282 in December 2022. Unfortunately for "The Baddy," his recovery kept him out until this Saturday night at UFC 296 when he's welcomed back by one-time lightweight interim champion Tony Ferguson.
Ferguson, 39, looks to get back in the win column after losing his last six. A perennial fan-favorite, Ferguson's skid has been a shocking one, to say the least. Even in defeat, "El Cucuy" has still been entertaining and when assessing the matchup, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping sees paths to victory for him.
"Tony has a style where he takes a lot of damage, puts on wild fights. They're incredible to watch," Bisping said on his YouTube channel (h/t MMA Weekly). "We know this, but that kind of style is not conducive to a long career. Tony Ferguson is at the end of a long, glittering, legendary career. He's almost 40 years old. 39, that's very old for a lightweight. You depend on speed, your reflexes, your instincts. It's not about power. Heavyweights rely on power, and power is the last thing to go. Speed, timing, reflexes, they're some of the first things to go, so certainly that's part of the reason Tony is slowing down. The damage is part of the reason he's slowing down, and also the quality of opponent. But Paddy's not ranked, so a lot of people think that if Tony loses this he should retire. What happens if he beats Paddy Pimblett?
"Paddy Pimblett's a great fighter. Make no mistake. He's faster on his feet. He's probably got better boxing if you look at it skill for skill, but Paddy carries his chin kind of high in the air. I've seen better defense on Power Slap sometimes."
Pimblett has shown some vulnerability in his striking game despite his unbeaten run in the UFC thus far. Known best for his strong grappling abilities, it will be no secret what he'll look to do against Ferguson.
Ferguson's last fight came in July at UFC 291 opposite his fellow veteran Bobby Green. Doing well early on, Ferguson eventually got caught in a late arm-triangle choke where he was forced to submit. It was his first time getting submitted in back-to-back fights following a previous fourth-round guillotine loss to Nate Diaz this past September.
Ultimately, Bisping believes the damage accumulation will be too much for Ferguson to overcome against his 28-year-old British counterpart.
"Even though I think Tony Ferguson is a better wrestler. Even though I think he can handle himself on the feet. I think all the miles on the clock are going to take its toll," Bisping said. "I really do... Sadly, I think Tony Ferguson will go out there and lose again Saturday night, and it might just be the last time we ever get to see the legendary Tony Ferguson compete."
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC 296 Media Day.
Sound & Pound.
Embedded 3.
Top Finishes from UFC 296 Fighters.
Full Fight.
Volk's picks.
The War Room: Rakhmonov vs. Thompson.
Fancy UFC 296 Preview.
LISTEN UP
No Bets Barred.MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Conner Burks discuss if Colby Covington can upset Leon Edwards at UFC 296 to finally win a title.
Reaction.MMA Fighting's Jed Meshew and Alex K. Lee discuss Ian Machado Garry no showing UFC 296 media day amid controversies.
MORNING MUSIC
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Highlight.
*chef's kiss* pic.twitter.com/NvR4FU7PjA
— Blaine Henry (@BlaineHenryTFL) December 13, 2023
Lesson.
Say my name @HenryCejudo
— Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) December 13, 2023
D V A L I S H V I L I pic.twitter.com/JMiIe4tNZL
Nomad.
He's putting his 17-0 record on the line this weekend
— UFC (@ufc) December 13, 2023
#5 @Rakhmonov1994 is taking on #6 Stephen Thompson this Saturday at #UFC296pic.twitter.com/h3xyHTenyN
Advice.
When you make love to a woman of another nationality, do it well. Because you represent an entire country.
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) December 14, 2023
London.
Morning London pic.twitter.com/wP2FeaOXFk
— michael (@bisping) December 14, 2023
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jean Silva (11-2) vs. Westin Wilson (16-8);UFC Vegas 84, Jan. 13
Devin Clark (14-8) vs. Marcin Prachnio (16-7);UFC Vegas 86, Feb. 10
FINAL THOUGHTS
Pimblett's grappling will be put to the test against Ferguson, I'd imagine. It's not that he can't find success on the feet, it's just that the path of least resistance is always the key. Especially in what he's dubbed a "lose-lose" matchup.
Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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