Michael Bisping analysis: Dan Hardy give his verdict ahead of The Count's fight with Luke Rockhold

Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping is one of the most well-known and polarizing characters on the UFC roster today. A fierce competitor with the conditioning of an elite athlete and a will to win that is unshakable. His fast-paced striking style overwhelms opponents, stuffing their takedowns and beating them to the punch. The Count has represented the UK on the international scene for many years.

I’ve known Michael for about twelve years now. We spent many hours in the gym together, conditioning, sparring and drilling. Back in my university days before I quit to chase a dream, I trained with an old Jiu Jitsu coach who always talked about this kid he used to train a few years back. Soon after I was introduced to Michael and he began traveling down to Nottingham each week to prepare for his Mixed Martial Arts debut.

To say he went on a tear after turning professional would be an understatement. He went fourteen fights without tasting defeat, before losing a split decision to former UFC light-heavyweight champ, Rashad Evans. In that time he picked up three titles in well-established European-based shows and won season three of The Ultimate Fighter.

He has only been tested in the Octagon by the best the UFC have to offer. The six losses on his record are all legends in the sport and top-flight combatants. Amassing a record of twenty-five wins with fifteen knockouts, he has also never been submitted. It’s clear when looking back at his earlier fights just how much he is improving. Particularly with his wrestling and take down defence.

This has allowed him to really open up with his kickboxing skills, giving him the record for most significant strikes in middleweight history. He also has the best striking defence in the division, absorbing very little punishment in his fights. Using good footwork and head movement, and as I mentioned before, his outstanding level of conditioning, meaning he is able to maintain a pace into later rounds that is a weapon in itself.

One thing he really excels at is riling up his opponent before the fight and his next opponent is no different. Luke Rockhold has already stated several times that he intends on finishing Bisping in the first and he definitely has the tools to follow through. This fight could be a huge turning point in Michael’s career. Rockhold is ranked fifth so a win would push him back into contention and prove to the top five that he is a threat to their position.

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Whether Rockhold becomes a stepping stone or a stumbling block is yet to be seen. The top of every division in the UFC is full of sharks and the middleweight division has some of the baddest. The Count looked fantastic against Cung Le in his last outing. If he can string a couple more wins together starting with the number five ranked fighter, we could see him contending for the belt in 2015.

Watch Michael Bisping and the rest of the action from UFC Fight Night Sydney, live via UFC Fight Pass from 3am on Saturday or on delay on BT Sport 1 from 10pm.