NEWARK, N.J. – This time, Michael Bisping wasn’t on the favorable end of a split decision.
Bisping suffered the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career when losing to Rashad Evans in the main event of Saturday night’s UFC 78 pay-per-view show emanating from the Prudential Center.
Two judges scored the fight 29-28 in Evans’ favor. Bisping, who scored a controversial judge’s decision over Matt Hamill at UFC 75 in September, was given a 29-28 decision by the third judge.
Evans (16-0-1) controlled the pace of the first round, consistently tying up Bisping and holding a ground advantage with his superior wrestling skills. Evans opened the second round by picking up Bisping and driving him to the mat after scoring with a punch. Bisping, though, sufficiently tied up Evans to force a stand up. Evans also held an advantage in stand-up tussles before Bisping scored with several knees and a takedown to end the round.
But Bisping couldn’t follow up in the third round, with Evans again slowing the pace through his grappling.
“I think I won the fight, but obviously the takedowns were the deciding factor,” said Bisping, who fell to 15-1. “He did take me down but I was happy with my wrestling and takedown defense. To be honest, I think I canceled out the takedowns.”
Tension between Bisping and Evans escalated the days leading up to the fight. Evans refused to shake hands at Friday’s weigh-in and the two light-heavyweights were separated backstage after exchanging words. But the fight itself never produced those kinds of fireworks.
Didn't see this one or Bispings last one, but sounded like he was given a gift in England, so makes me happy that he lost a split decision here. Not a real big fan of his anyways
Evans is a mediocre fighter. Bisquick is a piece of ####. Let him fight Jackson or Henderson. Then, when he gets his ####knocked out, maybe he will admit he lost the fight. What a piece of ####. H ell, let him fight Alexander. Bisquick would probably beat Chuck, though. F uck Chuck. Can't wait to see what Wanderlei does to him.
Last edited by mxtlplk on November 17th at 10:06 PM.
chuck is still the man....eay to say F Chuck when you are some nobody.......half the people that come on here talkin #### would not be half the man they claim if they were in front of these guys....
Bisping better work on some wrestling basics.....tkdwns do count....ask Hughes if they dont....the 'Count' really did lose to Hamill....and then he had no answer for the right hand of Evans...not too surprised...tho Quinton would smash them both
I wish they would give MORE draws in MMA. When a fight goes three rounds, with no real damage, it should be a draw. A good wrestler shouldn't be given a fight because he can hold a guy down. Damage should be the key. They should also look into lengthening these fights. Either by time, or rounds. How about the 7, 6, 5 minute three round fight. I remember when the first round used to be 10 minutes. Either way, MMA is going to be up against it when they have lackluster fights like this last card. They should think about promoting it on SPIKE or another avenue for fights or cards like this. Save the PPV for the bigger cards and more recognized fighters. They can make money by selling commercials. PPV payers are going to get sick and tired of it and quit paying. Anything to advance this sport would be great. They have some issues that they had better get a grip on sooner than later, or they will become a side light.
I used to like Evans until he turned into the black Vargas of the MMA. In other words, a trash talkin as shole. This is still a professional sport, not a personal grudgematch. He needs to learn to accept victory with dignity. When he gets his as swhipped, he'll learn humilty like Tito Ortiz. I hope that soon.
Alex Marvez is a senior NFL writer for FOXSports.com who also covers mixed martial arts fighting. He has written about MMA for various publications and media outlets since the late 1980s
