UFC 127 – Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera Prediction

MICHAEL BISPING vs. JORGE RIVERA

Fight Overview:  Jorge Rivera, enjoying a career resurgence of sorts, faces a stiff challenge in the form of British kickboxer Michael Bisping.  Rivera is all guts, chin, heart, and power, but Bisping’s blend of speed and technique are tough to deal with.

Rivera’s Strengths:  Rivera has a great chin, decent wrestling, a ton of fighting spirit, and thudding power punches that he fully commits to.

Rivera’s Weaknesses:  He doesn’t have very good submissions or submission defense.

Bisping’s Strengths:  Bisping has a very underrated ground game, good ground and pound, and great kickboxing with awesome hand speed and accuracy.

Bisping’s Weaknesses:  His punching power is not impressive and his wrestling is still a work in progress.

The Verdict:  In the end, I think Bisping’s superior speed and footwork will be enough to confound Rivera.  Rivera also has a tendency to overcommit to power punches which could create takedown opportunities for Bisping.  This will be a competitive fight, and Rivera will get his shots in, but I think Bisping should be able to do enough to earn the unanimous decision.