When Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson clash in Dublin, Ireland January of next year Michael Bisping will be paying very close attention. After knocking off his toughest test to date in Chris Leben the waters are only going to get deeper. Bisping will be facing the winner of Franklin/Henderson not only in the Octagon but as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter reality show.
One has to believe that should Bisping be the winner he’ll be getting a shot at Anderson Silva. While Bisping has looked very solid since dropping down to 185 this would be a significant step up in competition. Leben presented a significant danger only in KO power where as Franklin has a much more versitile striking game and Henderson not only has dynamite in his fists, he has top shelf wrestling (which he sadly chooses to ignore much of the time).
From a personality standpoint I would have to think that Bisping vs. Franklin makes for the best TV but there is an odd dynamic as Franklin has moved UP to 205 while Bisping made the move DOWN to middleweight.
Either way we’re fast going to learn if Bisping is truly ready for a title shot by the middle of 2009.