Bisping (James Law/Heavy MMA)Michael Bisping: From Ultimate Fighter to Ultimate Gatekeeper RJ Gardner August 20, 2014 News Michael Bisping has had a pretty solid UFC career thus far; he won The Ultimate Fighter season three, he is 14-6 in the Octagon, and he has been the face of the UFC’s British invasion. But at the end of the day Bisping isn’t going to be remembered for what he accomplished in the Octagon but rather what he didn’t accomplish. Bisping is a solid fighter and is excellent at creating hype leading into bouts, but he has never been able to get over that hump to compete for a UFC title. Not every fighter can win a title, but at the same time when you look at all of the opportunities Bisping has been given over his career it is astounding that he hasn’t even competed for a UFC title. It’s time to come to the realization the Bisping was never a true contender. Instead, he was and still is the UFC’s ultimate gatekeeper. Bisping has defeated some high level fighters but look at the guys he has lost to: Rashad Evans – former UFC light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson – former Pride champion and multiple time UFC title challenger Wanderlei Silva – former Pride champion Chael Sonnen – multiple time UFC title challenger Vitor Belfort – multiple time UFC title challenger Tim Kennedy – multiple time Strikerforce title challenger Really in the history of the UFC, no fighter has ever been better at separating the wheat from the chaff. It’s not exactly the career goal of any fighter; to be labeled a “gatekeeper” but it is an important role in the sport that someone has to fill. No one has been better at it then Bisping. In many ways Bisping is the ultimate measuring stick in the UFC middleweight division. If he beats you then you don’t deserve as shot at the title, but if you beat him you are right in the mix for consideration. Being a gatekeeper is a role that Bisping should embrace as his career winds down. Playing the role of spoiler may not be the most glamorous position in the sporting world, but it can be satisfying to know that you are the benchmark by which all others are judged.
