So yes, good on him for not overlooking these guys and performing well…I’m just not jumping on the bandwagon so soon until he fights a top 15 guy.

Maybe my initial comments were a little harsh, but I guess it’s just backlash for the amount of man-love he’s getting for beating on guys he’s supposed to mop the floor with.

Classic passing of the baton fight.

Now it’s sounding rather as if Silva’s not going to fight anyone at 185 anymore, which is a pity, because even if he did beat the paste out of Bisping, I’d pay to see it, because:

1. I like seeing Silva beat people up.
2. I would like to see Bisping get beat up.
3. If Bisping managed to beat Silva up, then that would be historic, and I like witnessing history.

Furthermore, WVR has already lost the perception battle to FEG over which promotion can rightfully claim to be a continuation of Pride. Sasahara shrewdly brought in Daisuke Sato and other Pride production people (plus talent like Shimada, Kei Grant and Lenne Hardt) and they’ve helped create a product that more closes mirrors what DSE was putting out. In the minds of Japanese fans and media, this is becoming even more clear as time passes.

For example, Gonkaku and Kamipro gave Sengoku 2 only a few pages of coverage, while Dream 3 got something like 15-20 pages.

For a promotion like Sengoku that has few stars, and no network backing, free media is very important. I mean, just look at how little buzz there was for their third show.

The bottom line is though, that fighters make promotions, and if you compare the draws and guys with potential to draw in the two promotions right now, it’s vividly clear that Dream is in much better shape for both the short and long term.

Compare: Yoshida, Fujita, Gomi, Barnett, and Misaki

To: Akiyama, Yamamoto KID, Sakuraba, Tamura, Funaki, Aoki, Uno, Kawajiri, Mirko, Kharitonov, Minowa, Hansen, Tokoro, Manhoef, JZ, Alvarez (who has been getting incredible press after his 2nd win), plus the possibility of using the K-1 crossover guys like Schilt, Hunt, LeBanner, and even Fedor for the occasional special show (NYE). Hell, if FEG was really desperate for ratings, they could even hotshot Masato on a Dream undercard in special attraction match.

WVR doesn’t have those kinds of options, and without a television deal to try to get some other guys like Kitaoka and Roger Gracie over, it’ll be difficult to succeed in what is a tough climate right now.

Saying that beating a known headcase and unmotivated fighter like McCarthy and a virtually unproven “big league” fighter in Day (who took the fight on very short notice) is hating on Bisping, just because I’m not willing to annoint him the next big thing at 185.

I think it’s pretty fair to say that Bisping needs a substantial step-up in caliber of his opponents before he even gets a SNIFF of being mentioned as a #1 contender.

My only concern, like I said, is his seeming lack of power. When he runs into someone with a chin like Leben or the power of Silva, I think he’ll be in trouble as he won’t be able to hurt them with his punches.

But like you said, MMAth is faulty to say the least. And yes, I’m one of those who though Tavares would destroy Wiman.

That’s why they fight. If MMA math could predict victories, then there’s no point in fighting at all.

Just because Bisping may not beat Silva does not mean he’s not any good. If he decisively beat two good fighters in a row, then he has some skills. Neither wins were of the flash KO variety as he dominated from beginning to end. In a win, you can either downplay the loser as a nobody or credit the winner for a great victory. The former just makes you a hater.

I can only wish that Gary Shaw would bring in a true hard Englishman in Ian Freeman to take on “Slice”. Freeman’s best days may be a bit past him , but I guarantee he’d still do a “Frank Mir” on Kimbo & have him tapping for mercy.