UFC QUOTABLES: Michael Bisping says he has a greater skill set than his UFC 120 opponent Yoshihiro Akiyama

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
















"You can have all the preparation and conditioning and everything in the world, but what sets you apart is your skill level. And I truly believe that in this fight, that my skill set is greater than [Yoshihiro Akiyama's]. I think I bring more to the table. I think I'm bigger, stronger, faster, better cardio. I think I'm a better technical striker, better wrestler, better jiujitsu. I think the only advantage he has over me, is Judo. But you know... I cancel that out with my wrestling."

-Michael Bisping, in a video blog for UFC 120 talks his opponent for the return event in London, Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Penick's Analysis: I don't know that I'd buy Bisping's wrestling "canceling out" Akiyama's Judo, but he does have some advantages heading into this fight. Akiyama remains one of the smaller fighters in the division, especially in the UFC where he should probably cut to 170 lb. Add in to that the height and reach advantage Bisping will have in this fight, and I'd take Bisping's ability to strike and move over what Akiyama can do to him there. But Akiyama can definitely take a punch as we found out in the Chris Leben fight. At the same time, with Leben getting that victory it's really tough to see a way Akiyama comes into London next month and leaves with a win.

[Michael Bisping art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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