On social media Bisping vs. Kennedy has been rather interesting … mainly because it’s looking like one of these guys has written a check with their mouth that they won’t be able to cash with their fists. The crazy thing is that even without all their chatter this would be perhaps one of the most intriguing fights of 2014 on paper.
Fight Breakdown – Tim Kennedy has always been on the cusp of being an elite fighter but never has had that one thing he does on an elite level that would allow him to do so. He’s that character you pick a video game that has 7s in every category that you can use to exploit the one thing a character stronger in other areas isn’t so strong at. As a fighter his best quality has always been his ability to be better at one thing his opponents aren’t great at … and use that to get the win.
It’s an interesting contrast to Michael Bisping, good enough at nearly everything but a lethal finisher on his feet. He’s tough to takedown and only has been stopped by guys with massive power. There’s no shame in being knocked out by Dan Henderson or Vitor Belfort; he can take a big shot from anyone in that “one shot KO” power up to that upper tier. There’s nothing in his arsenal that screams “Kennedy can take advantage of this” like his last couple fights. Bisping has legendary cardio, unlike Roger Gracie, and his striking doesn’t have the deficiencies of Rafael Natal.
It makes for an interesting matchup because Kennedy doesn’t really have all that much of an edge in any category over Bisping. Usually Bisping has one flaw against an opponent that can be exploited; Kennedy doesn’t have an edge in any significant manner. What he does well, mixing in a hard pace with enough striking to wear a guy out, is also something Bisping does well.
Throw in the fact that this is five rounds and you’re looking at a fight that’ll probably resemble Kennedy/Souza back in Strikeforce. This will be a kickboxing affair and the key will be how the end of each round winds up. If Kennedy can get a takedown towards the end of a handful of them he might be able to steal the fight.
Why it matters – A win here for either guy and they’re right back in the hunt. Both are great marketing pieces: Kennedy is an Army Ranger and genuinely liked by most fight fans ala Brian Stann whereas Bisping’s curmudgeonly behavior has kind of endeared him to a growing segment of fight fans in an odd way.
A win here, especially a finish by either guy, and we’re arguably into a title eliminator for either man. Middleweight is wide open and both guys have something that would make them marketable in a title fight.
Prediction – Bisping
