Michael Bisping’s face bears the evidence of over a decades physical toil - cauliflower ears, scars, and a disfigured eye that he insists remains safe to compete with. Ziggy Ansah Jersey . All of it has been worth it. He didnt need the validation of his greatest moment - becoming Britains first UFC champion this summer - to prove that his decision to dive head-first into a dangerous career-path was savvier than it seemed. Bisping was already the most high-profile British athlete that your average sports fan had never heard of.Ill retire as one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the Octagon, Im already in the Hall of Fame, Im already the champion, Ive fought all over the world and Ive broken lots of records, he told Sky Sports. But thats only recently become the case.For a decade he was a mouthy irritant to his American opponents, a visitor to their land who was good enough to remain but never great enough to threaten world champions. Now a golden championship belt is draped over him, and his thick Mancunian accent is occasionally punctuated by Americanisms. He lives in a California home befitting of a world champion and freely admits he wont move back to Manchester, but Bisping still looks more suited to the soggy north-west than the sunny west coast. Michael Bisping tells Sky Sports why he preferred to fight Dan Henderson next Full circleIt was a vicious knockout. Everybody said hes finished, hes done about me.Seven years have passed but Bisping still stutters and breathes heavily when reminded about his most notable defeat, in July 2009. I was 3-0 since dropping down to middleweight and I was going to fight for the world title if I beat Dan Henderson, but I didnt. It was a vicious knockout. Everybody said hes finished, hes done about me. Michael Bisping He has come full circle since suffering one of the worst knockouts in memory, and he will next welcome Henderson to Manchester with his newly-won world title at stake. The motivation is remembering the reaction of his inner circle after losing their first fight - his stigma as a nearly-man didnt erode until this year.Who lost faith? A lot of people who were close to me. They previously had my back and were pro-Michael Bisping. They said it was impossible to come back from such a bad knockout and be the same fighter. Heading into the next fight after Henderson, people didnt want to know me.Left behind?Britains top UFC export can be confrontational company, perhaps understandably when grilled about his most high-profile setbacks. The same skills required for his day job seldom relate to an interview. But the significance of his recent world title achievement cant be contextualised without remembering defeats. Sky News interviewed Michael Bisping two weeks after he becomes Britains first UFC champion He knew I won our fight, he said of a controversial points defeat against Chael Sonnen. Vitor Belfort permanently damaged his eye. He hilariously ridiculed Tim Kennedy - Hes two foot tall, hes ugly and he cant fight, he should get a job as a garden gnome - but lost in lacklustre fashion. Two years ago, he was beaten by the younger, more athletic Luke Rockhold who went on to become champion.Silva liningWeve had parallel careers for 10 years and Ive wanted to fight him on a number of occasions, Bisping told Sky Sports about confirmation he would meet former divisional king Anderson Silva, last February. Of course I wanted him when he was the champion and hes no longer the champion. That said, Ive always said I could beat Anderson. [Anderson Silva had] fought a lot of mediocre opponents, guys that were terrified of him and were beaten before they started. Michael Bisping The quirk about Bispings career, at the beginning of 2016, was that it lacked one stellar victory despite a plethora of respectable achievements. Silva, considered an all-time great, was travelling to London to provide Bisping with a chance to rubber-stamp his legacy.Hes fought a lot of mediocre opponents, guys that were terrified of him and were beaten before they started, said Bisping with a healthy dose of disrespect for the greatest-ever middleweight champion. They were looking for a way out, which is something we see in sports. Michael Bispings toughness was pushed to the limit by Anderson Silva Silva gave Bisping the chance to look for a way out when the Brits mouthpiece fell. A knee drew blood, but the end-of-the-round bell sounded. Silva celebrated a non-existent knockout - Bisping continued, and toughed out the win of his life.Two weeks noticeThe phone rang with Bisping enjoying some downtime, filming a movie alongside Vin Diesel and Samuel L Jackson. Can you fight? When? A fortnight. Its short-notice, so bittersweet, but Ive worked a lifetime for this. Michael Bisping Its not perfect circumstances but this is my lifestyle, he said about his first opportunity to challenge for a world title. Its short-notice, so bittersweet, but Ive worked a lifetime for this.He would run every day, he claimed, and strenuously diet to make the weight limit. The problem? He was fighting Rockhold, who beat him once already.If we fought again I wouldnt need to keep my hands up, Rockhold quipped. A part-time model and California surfer boy, the champion was stark contrast to the macho Bisping. Three-and-a-half minutes in, two left hooks accounted for Rockhold and completed an unlikely tale. Michael Bisping is unbeaten in the UK and fights in Manchester next Bispings career never needed this summers glorious epitaph to be remembered as pioneering. He is finally a champion of the cage, an accolade which carries more gravitas today than it did when his journey began a generation ago. Give up? No chance.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Bisping: Retirement is close Hendo shock at Bisping rise Remember his world title win Remember Anderson Silva fight D.J. Hayden Jersey . 17.A string of English Premier League teams, most in the lower end of the standings, has been linked to the 32-year-old forward but most have seemingly balked at the cost given his wages and transfer fee. Nevin Lawson Jersey .com) - The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue a four-game homestand at Value City Arena on Wednesday night when they face off against the High Point Panthers in a non-conference matchup. http://www.officialllionsproshop.com/Youth-Calvin-Johnson-Lions-Jersey/ . Felton was in court as the Manhattan district attorneys office outlined the agreement, which would resolve a gun case that arose amid the breakup of his marriage. Hes expected to admit June 30 to at least one charge, attempted criminal possession of a weapon -- he wont have to come to court to do so -- and get a $5,000 fine and 500 hours of community service.Philadelphia has the leagues most productive duo, Fleurys strong season continues and Colorados senior citizens are leading the team; lots of lineup news, Fantasy tips and more in Scott Cullens Statistically Speaking. HEROES Giroux & Voracek – Philadelphias dynamic duo each had four points (Claude Giroux with two goals, two assists; Voracek with four assists) in a 7-4 win at Toronto Saturday, then Voracek added two more goals and Giroux an assist in Sundays 4-3 overtime win at Winnipeg. Among common linemates, Voracek and Giroux, the first and third-leading scorers in the league, are at the top of the class. TOP PAIRS DUO TEAM TOTAL G TOTAL PTS EV CORSI% Jakob Voracek-Claude Giroux Philadelphia 24 84 57.2% Tyler Seguin-Jamie Benn Dallas 35 72 53.9% Phil Kessel-James van Riemsdyk Toronto 31 65 42.7% Vladimir Tarasenko-Jaden Schwartz St. Louis 31 64 52.2% Tyler Johnson-Nikita Kucherov Tampa Bay 23 64 57.6% Steven Stamkos-Ryan Callahan Tampa Bay 30 63 58.3% Sidney Crosby-Patric Hornqvist Pittsburgh 21 62 55.0% Patrick Kane-Kris Versteeg Chicago 25 61 54.9% Nicklas Backstrom-Alex Ovechkin Washington 25 61 56.2% Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry Anaheim 26 59 49.2% Marc-Andre Fleury – Turned aside 45 of 46 shots in a 3-1 win over Florida Saturday, continuing his career-best season, posting a .933 save percentage (his previous best was .921 in 2007-2008) with a league-leading six shutouts. Colorados seniors – Jaromie Iginla and Alex Tanguay each had three points in Saturdays 5-1 win at Buffalo. Iginla now has 11 points (5 G, 6 A) in the past dozen games and Tanguay has been even more productive, with 13 points (5 G, 8 A) in his past dozen games. Tanguay and Iginla have moved into the top two spots on the Colorado scoring chart, with a relatively-modest 22 and 21 points, respectively. These are the top scoring forwards, aged 35 or older, this season: LEADING 35-AND-OVER SCORERS PLAYER TEAM POS GP G A PTS Joe Thornton San Jose C 34 8 21 29 Patrick Marleau San Jose LW 34 7 20 27 Pavel Datsyuk Detroit C 23 13 11 24 Martin St. Louis N.Y. Rangers RW 31 10 13 23 Alex Tanguay Colorado LW 30 11 11 22 Marian Hossa Chicago RW 34 6 15 21 Jarome Iginla Colorado RW 32 7 14 21 Mark Streit Philadelphia D 33 4 17 21 Jaromir Jagr New Jersey RW 34 5 15 20 Chris Kunitz Pittsburgh LW 24 9 11 20 ZEROES Andy Greene – The Devils blueliner was buried in the defensive zone against Tampa Bay Friday, finishing with 13.8% possession (4 shot attempts for, 25 against), paired mostly with Jon Merrill and matched frequently against Tampa Bay’s top line of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Callahan. Mark Fayne – The Edmonton defenceman played more than 23 minutes against Dallas Sunday, but was thumped in possession (5 shot attempts for, 34 against, 12.8%). Fayne has had a somewhat difficult transition to Edmonton, going from a 55% Corsi performer in New Jersey last year to 49% with the Oilers this year. Goalies: Ilya Bryzgalov – The Ducks goaltender allowed six goals on 31 shots at Ottawa Friday. Jonathan Bernier – Toronto’s number one between the pipes surrendered seven goals on 41 shots against Philadelphia Saturday. Darcy Kuemper – Minnesota’s puck-stopper gave up three goals on 14 shots in Saturday’s 6-5 overtime loss to Nashville. Pekka Rinne – Quite possibly the frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy, the Predators goalie allowed five goals on 27 shots in 6-5 win at Minnesota Saturday. Kari Lehtonen – Dallas’ starter was yanked from the cage after allowing four goals on 19 shots against Edmonton Sunday. LINEUP NEED TO KNOW James Neal – Nashville’s top-line right winger missed Saturday’s win over Minnesota due to illness, though it’s reportedly not the mumps. Craig Smith replaced Neal on the top line and had a goal and an assist while playing a season-high 18:44. Jimmy Howard – Detroit’s starting goaltender suffered a lower-body injury Friday against the Islanders. With Jonas Gustavsson already out, Petr Mrazek will start in Howard’s absence and Thomas McCollum was recalled to fill the backup role. Mikael Granlund – The Minnesota Wild pivot missed Saturday’s game against Nashville due to illness. Charlie Coyle moved up to play with Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek, and registered a pair of assists in a season-high 19:43. Matt Cooke – Minnesota’s veteran checking winger returned to action Saturday against Nashville, playing his first game since being sidelined by a lower-body injury in late October. Brad Richards – The veteran Blackhawks centre missed Sunday’s game against Toronto with an upper-body injury. For a bit of a twist, the Blackhawks put Patrick Sharp at centre with Patrick Kane and Kris Versteeg, and Sharp responded with three assists. Derick Brassard – Returned to action for both of the Rangers’ games against Carolina on the weekend, after missing a week with the mumps. Jonathan Drouin – The Tampa Bay rookie has seen his ice time increasing, playing a season-high 21:15 at New Jersey Friday, skating most frequently on the top line with Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan. Ondrej Palat – Returned to the Lightning lineup Friday after missing 10 days with a lower-body injury. Radko Gudas – Tampa Bay’s bruising blueliner returned to the lineup Friday after missing eight days with a lower-body injury. Grant Clitsome – On the depleted Winnipeg blueline, Played 24:43 against Boston Friday, then 20:19 against Philadelphia Sunday. Considering that Clitsome averaged 19:47 per game last season, and is at 15:09 per game this season, he’s a logical candidate to take on a bigger role while the Jets’ defence is overrun by injuries. Chris Kunitz – Returned to the Penguins’ lineup Saturday after missing three weeks with a broken foot. Patrick Bordeleau – The Colorado tough guy, recovered from a back injury, got into the Avs lineup for the first time this season during Saturday’s win at Buffalo. Rasmus Ristolainen – The second-year Sabres defenceman played a career-high 27:01 Saturday against Colorado, then followed up by playing 26:46 at Boston Sunday. Ristolainen has also contrributed three points (2 G, 1 A) in the past four games. Travis Swanson Jersey. . Tyler Myers – The main reason Ristolainen saw the increased workload is that Myers suffered a lower-body injury and was forced to leave early Saturday. Mark Barberio – The Lightning blueliner skated in a career-high 22:29, in his 63rd career game, at the Islanders Saturday, due to Jason Garrison leaving early with an undisclosed injury. Jannik Hansen – The Canucks winger collapsed on the bench during Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win vs. Calgary, though appears to be fine since the incident. Brian Gionta – The Sabres captain left Sunday’s game against Boston early after a questionable hit from Bruins D Matt Bartkowski. Anton Lander – The perennial Oilers prospect was promoted again and had a team-leading six shots on goal in 16:39 against Dallas, then was sent right back to Oklahoma City of the AHL, where he has 27 points (8 G, 19 A) in 26 games this season. SHORT SHIFTS Ducks C Ryan Getzlaf scored both of Anaheim’s goals in a 6-2 loss at Ottawa Friday, giving him 18 points (6 G, 12 A) in the past 11 games…Senators RW Bobby Ryan registered a pair of assists, giving him eight points (2 G, 6 A) in the past seven games…Senators C Kyle Turris had a goal and an assist against Anaheim Friday, and now has seven points (3 G, 4 A) in the past five games…Senators C Mika Zibanejad registered a goal and an assist against the Ducks and has 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in the past nine games…Penguins RW Steve Downie had two assists and 17 PIM in 5:56 of ice time against Florida Saturday…Penguins LW Nick Spaling had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over Florida, giving him six points (2 G, 4 A) in the past six games…Canadiens C Alex Galchenyuk had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ottawa; he has six points (4 G, 2 A) in the past three games and, moving to centre, has pushed David Desharnais to left wing…Canadiens LW Max Pacioretty recorded two assists against Ottawa, giving him seven points (1 G, 6 A) in the past five games…Kings C Anze Kopitar had three assists in Saturday’s 4-2 win vs. Arizona and has nine points (1 G, 8 A) in the past three games…Flyers C Sean Couturier had a goal and an assist in Philadelphia’s 7-4 win at Toronto, giving him nine points (4 G, 5 A) in the past nine games…Capitals C Nicklas Backstrom had two goals and an assist in Saturday’s 4-0 win at New Jersey; he has nine points (5 G, 4 A) in the past six games. Stars C Tyler Seguin recorded two goals and an assist with 11 shot attempts (9 SOG) in Sunday’s 6-5 shootout win at Edmonton; he has 20 points (13 G, 7 A) in the past 14 games…Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists in Chicago’s 4-0 win over Toronto and now has 26 points (12 G, 14 A) in the past 18 games…Flyers C Vincent Lecavalier tallied a pair of goals in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win at Winnipeg. Lecavalier had zero goals (and two assists) in his previous 14 games… Predators D Roman Josi had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 6-5 overtime win at Minnesota; Josi has 12 points (3 G, 9 A) in the past 16 games…After two assists against Minnesota, Predators D Shea Weber has 14 points (2 G, 12 A) in those same 16 games…Wild RW Jason Pominville had a pair of assists in Saturday’s 6-5 overtime loss to Nashville, and has 10 points (3 G, 7 A) in the past ten games…Wild LW Zach Parise had two goals and an assist against Nashville, giving him 12 points (5 G, 7 A) in the past 10 games…Wild D Ryan Suter had a pair of assists vs. Nashville and has 10 assists in the past eight games. Stars C Cody Eakin (20 shot attempts for, 5 against) and D Jamie Oleksiak (17 shot attempts for, 4 against) both had at least 80% possession against Calgary Friday…Senators RW Alex Chiasson had a stellar possession game (21 shot attempts for, 4 against, 84.0%), with only 14.3% offensive zone starts, against Montreal Saturday…Islanders C Frans Nielsen delivered a strong possession game (12 shot attempts for, 1 against, 92.3%) against Tampa Bay Saturday…In a little over seven minutes of even-strength ice time against the Rangers Saturday, Hurricanes LW Zach Boychuk was crushed (1 shot attempt for, 12 against, 7.7%) in possession terms…In Sunday’s 4-3 win over Buffalo, the Bruins had five forwards – Chris Kelly, Carl Soderberg, Patrice Bergeron, Reilly Smith and Brad Marchand – finish with at least 80% of the even-strength shot attempts. Jets G Michael Hutchinson stopped 30 of 31 shots for a 2-1 win over Boston Friday, lifting his save percentage to a league-leading .940…Avalanche G Calvin Pickard turned back 62 of 64 shots in weekend wins over Buffalo and Detroit, raising his save percentage to .939…Lightning G Andrei Vasilevsky had 45 saves on 47 shots in Saturday’s 3-1 loss at the Islanders…Capitals G Braden Holtby had a 21-save shutout at New Jersey Saturday. He has a .927 save percentage in December (after .907 and .913 in the first two months of the season)…Blackhawks G Antti Raanta stopped all 31 shots he faced in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Toronto. FIRSTS Derrick Pouliot – Pittsburgh’s highly-touted rookie blueliner, the eighth overall pick in 2012, scored his first NHL goal, on his first NHL shot, against Florida Saturday. With Christian Ehrhoff and Paul Martin hurt, Pouliot finally has an opportunity to show his stuff. Keith Kinkaid – New Jersey’s backup goalie stopped 26 of 28 shots against Tampa Bay Friday for the first win of his career. Johan Larsson – The Buffalo left winger scored his first career goal, in his 34th game, during Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Colorado. Tim Schaller – Buffalo’s rookie centre scored his first NHL goal, in his third NHL game, in Sunday’s 4-3 loss at Boston. Rob Zepp – Philadelphia’s 33-year-old goaltender made his NHL debut and allowed three goals on 28 shots, good enough to secure the win in a 4-3 overtime win at Winnipeg. A fourth-round pick in 1999 (Atlanta) and 2001 (Carolina), Zepp has been bouncing around in places where reaching the NHL is more than a little unexpected. Zepp spent the previous seven seasons playing in Germany, two more in Finland and logged a total of seven AHL games (and 115 ECHL games) prior to this season. FANTASY FOCUS With a half dozen games on tap tonight, here are some players to consider for your lineup: Mike Fisher – After taking a few games to get rid of the rust as he recovered from his summer Achilles injury, Fisher has six points (2 G, 4 A) in the past seven games. Nick Spaling –Spaling has six points (2 G, 4 A) in the past six games, though the return of Chris Kunitz does bump Spaling off Sidney Crosby’s wing, and thats kind of a big deal. Mike Hoffman – The Senators’ leading goal-scorer, with 10, is skating on a productive line with Mika Zibanejad (recommend him too) and Bobby Ryan. Much of the data included comes from www.war-on-ice.com, www.puckalytics.com, www.hockeystats.ca and www.naturalstattrick.com Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca Cheap Jerseys From China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys White Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys ' ' '