Rockhold vs. Bisping II

This is the official discussion thread for Rockhold vs. Bisping II. Let's see what you've got.

Bisping isn't flattening anyone who takes him seriously

If you think Luke didn't take him seriously you're delusional.

Just because Luke's too dumb to understand the improvements Bisping's made in his game (amazing that at his age he's still closing holes in his already great striking game) since they last fought doesn't mean he didn't take him seriously.

Bisping has stopped chasing and lunging in against taller fighters (something he repeatedly did in the first fight and got check-hooked every time he did it), he had already shown signs of that against Anderson Silva, so Luke had his fair notice 

And that left hook he clipped Luke with to start things off is also a sort of new addition to his game (at least the way he uses it now), also, shown in the Silva fight.

His head movement and footwork, which have always been great have become magnificent, this makes that he doesn't retreat in a straight line when attacked (like he did in the first fight against Luke) but rather has the option to stay in the pocket and throw back (usually with his left hook).

Also, when he does retreat, he makes sure his opponent doesn't stay close by pushing him off rather than just throwing his hands out, a huge difference when fighting longer fighters.

I think Luke is more athleticism and talent than brains and understanding of the fine points of the game so I can see how he'd miss those points, but it looks like Bisping won more due to his constant understanding of his short-comings and intensive study of what lost him the first fight rather than Luke "not taking him seriously".

I still think that Luke is the favourite if they go for a rubber match, but this win's all Bisping and discarding it on account of Luke being complacent is a pretty whiney and somewhat ignorant thing to do.



EDIT:: By the way, I share that ignorance because it took me rewatching his last fights in hindsight to understand what happened and to see these changes. Before the fight I thought Bisping was way too old to add anything to his game substantial enough to help him beat Rockhold so when he did end up beating him I wanted to try and see if fluke or not and you can see the progression from fight to fight. And if we needed any sort of proof as to just how far above the rest Bisping is in the work ethic section, this is exactly it. VERY few fighters show this much progression so consistently after 35. You have to admire that if you truly love this sport.

* Edited at 06.20.2016, 5:31 PM ET *

Yes, not delusional at all.

There's a difference between being ****y and not taking an opponent seriously.

A subtle difference at most. mikeyg is on point.

By Bisping winning this, it leaves other interesting matches like vrs Hendo, GSP and Weidman.

I want Bisping vs GSP, and I´m picking Bisping. 

He wasn´t ever the best as a young man, but he who laughs last, laughs best. 

It's crazy that GSP last win in the UFC, is more recent than Cains.

Yes, that is crazy.

Nice drawing.