Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The co-main event of UFC on Fox 2 saw Michael Bisping put on a much better performance than most expected against Chael Sonnen. While many expected that Sonnen would be too strong and too good for the Brit, Bisping showed that he was more than capable of not taking damage on the times he was taken down and looked more than able to compete in the strength department.
Sonnen took the fight by what was announced as a unanimous decision, but it turns out that the fight was actually a split decision for Sonnen making it the second consecutive fight with incorrect scores announced on the Fox broadcast. Via F4Online:
In the Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping fight, Judges Brad Odom and Otto Torriero gave Sonnen rounds one and three and Bisping round two. Judge Clay Goodman gave all three rounds to Bisping.
UFC president Dana White told Ariel Helwani during the Fuel broadcast that he also scored the fight for Bisping:
I actually, I did score that fight, I had Bisping two rounds to one. I was actually saying before the fight, this isn't a five to one (under)dog. Bisping wrestled with Rashad, the way Bisping wrestled with Hamil...Bisping has great wrestling, good stand up and great submissions, too.
Edit: Front Row Brian points out in the comments that it actually was a unanimous decision, not a split. Not sure what happened with Meltzer's report, but it appears to be inaccurate.
0 recs | 68 comments
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Meltzer’s report about the judging error was inaccurate. There’s a copy of the scoresheet. Goodman scored it 30-27 SONNEN. Not Bisping.
FrontRowBrian - January 29, 2012
Ah, thank you. I’ll correct.
Brent Brookhouse - January 29, 2012
Judge Clay Goodman gave all three rounds to Bisping.
Wait, what?
zY - January 29, 2012
This isn't right:
That is still a decision for Chael.Scott C. Broussard - January 29, 2012
Yeah, split decision for Chael, it should read
Although that’s still incorrect?
KJ Gould - January 29, 2012
Good lord. I’m on a roll…
Brent Brookhouse - January 29, 2012
29-28 Sonnen
The way i saw it, rounds 1 and 3 were his. In round 1, 2 takedowns > holding Chael up against the fence, grabbing shorts, grabbing the fence and grabbing the top of the cage with punches mixed in.
ANance - January 29, 2012 via mobile
Same here
Round 1 was close but Sonnen got the takedowns and did some dirty boxing. Bisping was clear winner of round 2 and Sonnen was clear winner of round 3.
10 point must system and overall scoring both point to Chael though. Round 3 was the most dominant of the whole fight.
aaronb - January 29, 2012
First off the the 30-27 was ridiculous
Second I thought Bisping may have edged Sonnen on that one but I’m not gonna raise hell and march with pitchforks about it. But after this I ned to stop shitting on Michael Bisping. It shouldn’t have taken me so long but it did.
And after all that, people still want Silva/Sonnen? You know Anderson fought with a broken rib, right?
Krimson - January 29, 2012
Not sure it’s that ridiculous…
I thought the first round was Sonnen’s, but it was close. I thought the 2nd round was Bisping’s, but it was close. 3rd was clear.
I thought it would be a split decision for Chael before it was announced, but I wouldn’t have been surprised to have seen it go either way. The fight wasn’t a quote unquote 30-27 fight, but I could see how it could have been scored that way.
Diz D - January 29, 2012
Plus… Not sure why that fight would preclude me from wanting to see the rematch. Bisping’s always had solid wrestling and Silva never has… it’s what makes that matchup compelling stylistically.
However, after last night, I think we can say that Sonnen would have a VERY hard time with Belfort… since I would consider his TDD defense comparable.
Diz D - January 29, 2012
Depends on the Reffing situation of that fight
If Tan Dan reffed it back to standing after 3 seconds on the ground (like the Rumble fight). Then Vitor absolutely wins.
If the fight is reffed in a legitimate, non nefarious way. Then Chael can take it.
aaronb - January 29, 2012
Can, agreed… but I think Belfort would be a tough stylistic matchup for him, just like Chael is a tough stylistic matchup for Silva. Anyone can win, but styles make fights.
Diz D - January 29, 2012
Would 30-27 be more ridiculous for Chael or Bisping?
Afrotikiman - January 29, 2012 via mobile
Chael clearly won the 3rd
So a 30-27 Bisping score would be much more ridiculous. The first 2 rounds were close though.
MS_Dos_Santos - January 29, 2012
30-27 for Chael was almost as ridiculous
As 30-27 in favour of Muñoz against Maia.
30-27 for Bisping would make Leonard Garcia take notice, though, the third round was impossible to score for Bisping.
wonderfulspam - January 29, 2012
more ridiculous for bisping. There’s no way to give him the third. Bisping new he lost as soon as he heard the 30.
Phildo - January 29, 2012
I didn’t see Dana at all during last night’s broadcast.
Ubernoober - January 29, 2012
he was at the dmv
then on the phone to visa, then mastercard, then amex, then…
gspmademegay - January 29, 2012
Mobile rec. i laughed…
ANance - January 29, 2012 via mobile
So, you’re saying Dana stayed rather…anonymous??
BVandDietPepsi - January 29, 2012
Diz D - January 29, 2012
YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
TorQus - January 29, 2012
Pretty sure I only saw him ringside
Presumably Tweeting away and watching him personal TV for the event.
TorQus - January 29, 2012
him = his.
Derp.
TorQus - January 29, 2012
Wow, does anyone actually know who won the fight?
Are the scorecards burned afterwards?
Kwisatz Haderach - January 29, 2012
you know all the joking about hes good but hes no Michael bisping turns out Michael bisping is actually good lol i think he won that fight
THEFILMGUY - January 29, 2012
I thought Bisping won
but regardless, he has arrived in the MW top 5 in my books.
And im sure he has won some fans with his performance, i said before the fight if this was a 5 rounder bisping would have a good chance, had no idea he would be so close to winning the fight on a 3 rounder since he’s a notorious slow starter.
if I was Joe id book Munoz against him, even though he lost. Don’t really care for a Maia vs Bisping fight, i think Maia’s mind is out of the mma game.
elmojo - January 29, 2012
I hope for munoz – Belfort myself
Vetr - January 29, 2012 via mobile
i would like to see that too
the problem is UFC pretty much sidelined two strong MWs.
Belfort because he’s facing Wandy most probably after his TUF stint, a career decision he’ll probably regret if he really did want to do one more title run, and they booked Stann to squash Sakara.
That pretty much leaves Munoz against either Bisping or Paul Harris.
elmojo - January 29, 2012
munoz palhares!!!!!!!!!!!!
benten20 - January 29, 2012
That or.............
They stop being stubborn and bring back Marquardt, Johnson and Jorge Santiago. Seems silly that the UFC leaves a top 5 and 2 top 15-20 middleweights just out there hanging in purgatory.
aaronb - January 29, 2012
Yeah Maia looked uninterested and super gassed last night. It’s not like he took the fight on ten days, but it sure looked like he did.
ANance - January 29, 2012 via mobile
I love how Bisping is top 5 without beating any top 15 guys
Ah, what a semi-impressive performance against Chael Sonnen will do.
halitosis - January 29, 2012
u say 'semi-impressive'
others say Bisping won (myself included), which puts a different slant on how people might perceive him in their pecking order.
rohedron - January 29, 2012
I propose this to you
Put the fight on mute and watch with an open mind. Tell me who won the fight.
halitosis - January 29, 2012
exactly my thoughts. Rogan made it sound like Bisping dominated.
mlzybaby - January 29, 2012
This is one of the dumbest things ever. It's such an insult to the intelligence of people here. You're basically saying "you're a fucking dumbshit moron"
James Brady - January 29, 2012
No it isn't
If I wanted to call him a dumbshit moron I would’ve done so. I implied that what you hear from an official commentator can influence your thoughts. The judges didn’t hear Rogan, look how it went.
halitosis - January 30, 2012
Thanks for the suggestion, although up til now, I have not suggest it necessay in order to re-appraise the quality of my perception. Although, in return, may I suggest you watch the fight again only using your left eye? With your right eye covered you may find cause to reappraise also.
rohedron - January 30, 2012
first ‘
suggest’ = ‘found’rohedron - January 30, 2012
In the first round Chael landed the more significant strikes
And got takedowns. Bisping got up from takedowns.
Please tell me how that constitutes a round won.
halitosis - January 30, 2012
whoa guy
you still playing this tune?
did you know that halitosis isn’t real?
It was invented by Listerene as something to market their antiseptic toward.
but anyway keep it up man… i’m sure there’s people out there that will appreciate the tenacity of your line.
rohedron - January 31, 2012
So you admit you're wrong?
By completely deferring when it comes to the topic where there was dispute? Okay then, it’s agreed, Chael won the fight.
halitosis - January 31, 2012
Bisping consistently wins fights against tough opposition and he did a great job against the #2 MW in the world. I want to see him matched up against Maia next just so he could tool him, that way this type of talk will end.
savik - January 29, 2012
I can get behind that
I just don’t want a guy in the top 5 when he’s never beaten any real top-tier opposition. Maia’s claim as top tier is fading though. I say match him up with Munoz, winner/loser be damned.
halitosis - January 29, 2012
Bisping is coming off a loss where he looked impressive, he should get a tune up fight against a tough opponent and nobody fits the bill better than Maia, especially since they were supposed to fight originally. Munoz is knocking on contention, his next fight should be a #1 contenders bout against the winner of Belfort/Wandy. Me personally, I would love to see him against Palhares but I think that’s a long shot.
savik - January 29, 2012
I can't rememberwho said it in the live thread but give Maia to Stann.
Either he remembers he actually knows jiu jitsu or Stann makes him.
Sweet Scientist - January 29, 2012
But Stann will be coming off a win
Unless Sakara…nah, hell be coming off a win.
KGNLuc - January 29, 2012
Completely forgot about the Stann-Sakara fight.
Yeah he’ll be coming off a win.
Sweet Scientist - January 29, 2012
Yeah I've never been a fan of his,
and that will probably continue, but he definitely earned some respect last night. I thought he won, but either way, his takedown defense and ability to scramble to his feet was pretty impressive. He landed the majority of big punches as well, just still doesn’t have enough punching power to back a guy like Chael off, and judges like control. I think the problem with him fighting Munoz is that Mark has the power to really hurt him, whereas with Chael you’re just concerned with getting stalled out for three rounds.
Kwisatz Haderach - January 29, 2012
Not sure Bisping would've looked better in a 5 round fight
Seemed that Chael got into domination-mode after Bispings resistance started to waver a bit in the third. Might have been a much more clear-cut victory for Chael over five.
KGNLuc - January 29, 2012
Bisping vs Belfort
For next contender
fightersvizion - January 29, 2012 via mobile
Belfort's coaching TUF vs. Wandy
That’ll tie him up for a while. I don’t know if they fight at the end though.
halitosis - January 29, 2012
Wandy said in his seminar last week that he was fighting Vitor.
Sweet Scientist - January 29, 2012
palhares vs either munoz or bisping! book that this!
benten20 - January 29, 2012
They need to feed Maia to Bisping since Maia’s time at the top is done. Also, bringing Rockhold and Jacare over needs to be done, right now. Both are young and capable of being top MW. Also, Palhares is on the verge of breaking out into the top 10, I don’t see a lot of men that can stop him right now. Regardless, the landscape at middleweight is changing.
savik - January 29, 2012
A bad decision but good for Bisping in the long run
Actually, a controversial loss will help the Count in ways that a title shot against Silva wouldn’t.
I don’t think there is anyone, with the exception of a 100% healthy, 100% motivated GSP who can beat The Spider. Sonnen had the best possible shot against a Silva who didn’t take him seriously, and he still blew it. I expect THAT Silva won’t show up at the rematch and Sonnen will be squashed in the second round.
Bisping is such a straight-forward, meant-and-potatoes fighter that I don’t think he threatens Silva anywhere. He might survive five rounds but he doesn’t have anything for the champ to give him sleepless nights.
A loss against Silva would make The Count the Koscheck of 185. You had your shot, now go back to being a prize fighter.
Bisping will get a solid marquee fight the next time out, and i truly believe that he will be the middleweight champion… just not while Anderson Silva is around.
I like Bisping vs. the winner of Okami/Boetsch
jackbox - January 29, 2012
I think Chael may have jumped the shark last night
Pre-fight, during the fight, and his promo after were all uninspiring. Exposed
warren305 - January 29, 2012
Who is responsible...
for these scoring errors ? There’s really no excuse for this to happen more than once a decade let alone twice in the same show. This isn’t rocket science. They’re lucky they haven’t scored the winner wrong yet.
Mongoose44 - January 29, 2012
the only errors have been by media members after the fact.
Phildo - January 29, 2012
Happened in the Story-Kampmann fight too.
Sweet Scientist - January 29, 2012
This just in, CM Punk thought Chael won!
Who the f cares what DW thought won? Anyone who’s not listening to Joe Rogan exaggerate points of holding up against the cage for a little bit and doing nothing knows Chael won Rd 1 and once you know that…it goes to Chael based on obvious rd 3. I still say we gotta get rid of this 10 pt must system because It wouldn’t have completely shocked me if they gave it to Bisping – but after seeing the 3rd and saying that this is equatable to the first 2 rds is ridiculous. Chael had him on the ground almost the entire round, had full mount and his back…how that’s equal to holding up against the cage is craziness. My point is the overall body of work should be worth more than how you squeaked out a round in the last 10 secs with no real damage.
themango69 - January 29, 2012
I'm sorry but Dana is clueless
GREAT SUBMISSIONS?! The guy who has zero career submissions in the UFC even if you include TUF exhibition matches has great submissions?
Oh, and 30-27 for either fighter is a ridiculous score. No more Chicago cards.
SSreporters - January 29, 2012
Still hate bisping & sonnen
RECE ROCK - January 29, 2012 via mobile
Dana also thought Diego Sanchez beat Martin Kampmann
/discussion
halitosis - January 29, 2012 via mobile
And Sonnen thought Bisping won.
It doesn’t mean anything, but it’s interesting, nonetheless.
sun yue - January 29, 2012
suppose the 30-27 card had been a 29-28. would everyone feel better? i mean….the result of the fight would be the same, so i’m not sure what all the compalining about the 30-27 is about.
tha dude - January 29, 2012
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