June 7 becomes Dooms day for Bisping
by Ben Blackmore, 10 May 2008
Jason Day has replaced Chris Leben as Michael Bisping’s opponent at “UFC 85: BEDLAM”, and he instantly predicted it will be the Fight of the Year.
To watch "UFC 85: BEDLAM", which features Hughes v Alves and Bisping v Day in Setanta Sports' inaugural live UFC event, click here.
Day made an outstanding Octagon debut back in April, smashing up the highly-rated Alan Belcher inside four minutes to announce himself in The UFC.
Leben was pulled from the fight on Friday after turning himself in for probation violation. The resulting 35-day jail sentence making it impossible to prepare for the June 7 bout.
Bisping, who had been looking forward to the stand-up challenge that Leben guaranteed, admits he is equally excited about fighting Day.
"Jason Day looked bloody dangerous in his fight with Belcher and I think this fight has exactly the same potential as the Leben fight to be a real war,” said Bisping.
Day represents a dangerous challenge to Britain’s number one, a vicious striker who counts David Loiseau among his 17 victims.
Bisping’s last appearance at London’s o2 Arena was a disappointed three-rounder against Matt Hamill, but Day insists both men will be doing everything to finish the fight at "UFC 85".
“Against Alan Belcher I expected it to go into the second or third round, but I always go for the finish, and that's my game, that's what I do. I try to finish fights, and once I saw the blood, I just went after him," said Day."
“I love this fight. Everybody’s been asking me who would I like to fight next, and I said Bisping, but who would have thought it would have come about so quickly?
“He’s a great fighter, an exciting fighter, tough as nails, and everybody wants that marquee fight where you get the guy that tests you and you slug it out for two or three rounds. I think he’s a pretty good test for me.
“If you take a look at me and Bisping, we’re both well-rounded fighters, both very well-conditioned, and we both have a reputation for being tough and durable.
“So I think this has Fight of The Night written all over it, and maybe even Fight of The Year. I think it’s gonna be an awesome fight. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and it sounds like he’s not gonna take me lightly either.”
For the UFC's official website, go to www.uk.ufc.com.