Tonights fight is pretty tough to predict, here's what the pros pick!
Din Thomas: I like the Bisping/Leben matchup a lot. They both constantly come forward, so it should make for an exciting fight. They both have good chins, so I think this one will be a long war. The deciding factor will be the English crowd. I don’t think Bisping will allow himself to lose at home. Bisping by decision.
Jaime Fletcher: Leben over Bisping. I think Chris has been working on his game. He’s a southpaw, and the harder you hit him, the harder he hits you. And he can take tons of abuse. It should be a good, exciting fight because “The Count” is not a punk by any means.
Nate Quarry: I see Leben KOing Bisping. Bisping’s only chance is to get the takedown and wet blanket him or a cut and referee stoppage.
Marvin Eastman: Bisping, unanimous decision.
Chael Sonnen: Leben.
Eddy Millis: Bisping is a good guy. Bisping by KO [via] punch, round two.
John Hackleman: Leben by ground-and-pound.
Crafton Wallace: [We] haven’t seen Bisping’s chin tested yet, and Leben’s is iron. I like Leben by KO in the third round.
Travis Wiuff: Tough fight to predict. Both [are] very tough guys. I will take Bisping by a close decision [because] he has looked much better at 185.
Pete Sell: On paper, I would say Bisping. He has the crisper stand-up, but Leben has proven that wrong before, so I’m going with Leben by KO.
Zac George: Leben [by] late stoppage.
Mark Selbee: Clearly Michael “The Count” Bisping is the more athletic, well-rounded fighter. But, man, I do love Leben’s do-or-die attitude. Chris Leben just loves to stand in the pocket and trade bombs. If Bisping fights smart, KO in the second.
Spencer Fisher: Chris by KO.
Rory Markham: I like Bisping. [He’s] never been KOed and should outlast Leben for a three-round exciting decision.
Clay Guida: Leben by decision over the most overrated TUF winner in UFC history in Bisping.
Jens Pulver: I gotta go with Leben. I am out here at AMC [Kickboxing and Pankration] and have seen the last few days of training. He is in great shape. Love to see a KO.
Luigi Fioravanti: Bisping by decision.
Alan Belcher: Leben could KO Bisping if he can hit him. Bisping will probably counter and move; he can’t KO Chris. Bisping will score a few takedowns and take the decision.
Gabe Ruediger: I’m thinking Leben. He looked good in his last couple of fights, and Bisping’s chin hasn’t really been tested.
Cub Swanson: Leben has been looking great. I think he’ll win by second-round TKO.
Johny Hendricks: I will have to go with Chris this time. He has been in more fights with tougher guys, and he can hit really hard. Michael I don’t think has had his chin tested yet. I think Chris will win because he likes to stay in the pocket for the most part, and Michael doesn’t have the punching power Chris has, I don’t think. And Michael doesn’t have too good of a ground [game] to make Chris worry, so Chris wins.
Rob Kimmons: My prediction is Leben by knockout. I think that dude is a beast. You can’t knock him out, and every time he’s hurt, he’s more dangerous. I think it’s going to be a good fight, but I think he’s going to win by knockout.
Jeff Monson: I want to put a little asterisk next to this, because I’m not the best predictor of fights. I see Bisping winning this fight by decision by controlling Leben on the ground a little bit. I see him bringing him down and riding out a decision. Leben could knock out Bisping, but Bisping’s not knocking out Leben. I see Bisping winning a three round-decision in this one.
The Final Tallies
Pros who picked Bisping: 9
Pros who picked Leben: 14