UFC 199: Michael Bisping must harness all his heart to beat Luke Rockhold in night of high-stake grudge matches

UFC welterweight and commentator Dan Hardy previews this weekend’s event in Los Angeles, as Michael Bisping steps in to face middleweight title holder Luke Rockhold, in a bid to become the UK’s first ever UFC champion

Michael Bisping can become Britain's first UFC champion if he defeats Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 (Getty)

The main and co-main events at UFC 199 have a surprising amount in common. Firstly, they are both rematches. The main event is a contest for the middleweight title, between current champion Luke Rockhold and short notice challenger Michael Bisping. It’s his first defence against a man he fought back in 2014, temporarily ending a long-standing feud by winning with a second round mounted guillotine.

The co-main event for the bantamweight title is a rematch between Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz. Their first bout back in 2007, when Urijah Faber was the WEC champion, also ended in a mounted guillotine. The difference here is that these two have since spent another twenty-five minutes trying to stop one another, ending in a unanimous decision victory for the defending champion Dominick Cruz at UFC 132.

This will be the third bout in what has become one of the longest and most heated grudges in UFC history. Their first fight is the only blemish on Dominick’s record. I also believe it was the catalyst for many changes in Cruz’s game. Since that fight his footwork has been far more high-paced and erratic, becoming a signature of the intelligent and confident champion.

For Urijah Faber this is undoubtedly his last chance at getting his hands on UFC gold. His previous opportunities, once against Cruz in their rematch and twice to Renan Barao, at UFC 149 and UFC 169 in 2012 and 2014 respectively, didn’t work out well. Even though he has never had the belt around his waist since crossing over to the UFC, his fan base is loyal and strong. He’s also established a strong stable of fighters in Team Alpha Male, as well as remaining in the upper echelons of the sport.

The sprint attack style in which he fights is always entertaining to watch. Occasionally getting him into trouble, but most of the time causing enough chaos to create an opening for victory. His fast feet and big overhand right play into a dangerous front headlock game that can also set up the rear-naked choke. In order to have success with this though, he needs to be able to back his foe up, and controlling the movement of Cruz is almost impossible.

It’s unlikely that this fight will settle the dispute between these two veterans, no matter how it ends. They will both go on, begrudgingly respecting the other for his skill and gameness, but only one will have the title of bantamweight king. It feels very much like this is the headlining bout on the card, so when this fight is over and the participants leave the Octagon, remember to stay in your seat for the main event.

No matter what happens, both fights promise to close out a card brimming with talent, with two exciting, high-stakes grudge matches

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With calm confidence and patience, the middleweight champion climbed his way to the top seat. A tall southpaw with a lazy style, Luke Rockhold is the ultimate puzzle for any MMA fighter. In the first meeting between Rockhold and Michael Bisping two years ago, it was his patience and the precision of his left head kick that really got the victory. As Bisping tried valiantly to scramble to his feet, Rockhold jumped on a guillotine and sealed the deal.

After that fight Rockhold went on to beat Lyoto Machida six months later, and then the former champion, Chris Weidman at UFC 194 last December. The title bout with Weidman was a gritty affair and a rematch was set for his immediate defence of his newly won belt. But when a neck injury put Weidman out for a while, Bisping was the man that got the call. After ten years of campaigning, he will finally get his shot. Not only will the win here put him at the top of the rankings, it will also be sweet revenge for that earlier defeat.

Michael Bisping replaces Chris Weidman to fight Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 (Getty)

The short notice nature of this fight can affect Bisping in two ways: he could feel overwhelmed with pressure, knowing that he hasn’t had a full training camp, or he could accept it for what is and realise that he has nothing at all to lose. In recent interviews he looks to have opted for the latter, taking it all in his stride. A win would be a huge upset and a real shock to the already complicated middleweight rankings, but it is well within the capability of Michael.

If he can harness all of his heart and strength on that night, he will find a way to connect with something of quality on Rockhold’s chin. He has already promised a more aggressive approach, acknowledging that as his best chance at winning, with his lack of preparation in mind. It’s a fascinating turn of events that has led to this opportunity for Bisping. No matter what happens, both fights promise to close out a card brimming with talent, with two exciting, high-stakes grudge matches.

Watch UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2 live on BT Sport from 1am BST on Sunday morning, or catch the Early Prelims from 11:15pm BST on Saturday on UFC Fight Pass