Paul Kelly is 'one million per cent confident' in Bisping

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By Elliot Worsell

Wolfslair disciple Paul ‘Tellys’ Kelly was never going to back Dan Henderson to beat teammate Michael Bisping. That much is a given. However, it still comes as a surprise when you hear just how unwavering Kelly is in his belief that Bisping will dominate the former PRIDE champion at UFC 100.

A long-time friend and training partner of Bisping, lightweight Kelly boasts a better insight than most into Britain’s leading mixed martial arts figurehead. He’s shared blood, sweat and tears with ‘The Count’ at their Widnes-based camp and has witnessed enough to put his mind at rest on July 11.

“I’m not being biased because we’re teammates, but I truly believe Mike will dominate Henderson in every department,” admits Kelly, 10-1 in his own mixed martial arts career and fresh off a win over Rolando Delgado at UFC 99.

“With the form that Mike is in right now and the shape that he’s in, I don’t see how many middleweights can beat him. He’s only a couple of steps away from a title now and I’ve never seen him hungrier. I’m convinced he’ll be holding that UFC middleweight title by the end of the year.”

Already considered one of the premier middleweights in the UFC, Bisping will move one step closer to a title shot with victory over Henderson. Of course, in many people’s eyes, that first task is easier said than done. The 38-year-old Henderson has fought and, in most cases, defeated pretty much everyone there is to face within a range of 180-pounds and 205-pounds. A granite-chinned warrior with dynamite in his right fist, Henderson undoubtedly represents a step-up in competition for the ever-improving Bisping.

It’s these improvements that Kelly hopes will bridge the gap in experience on July 11.

“This is the best version of Mike Bisping that I’ve ever seen in my life,” confesses Kelly. “He’s never looked this sharp or determined for all the time I’ve known him. We’ve had a great camp and he’s been awesome in every area.

“The Mike Bisping that we all see in the gym is unbeatable at middleweight. He’s too fit, too strong and too good for all of them. Mike will do well to stop Dan – because he’s as tough as anyone out there – but I am one million per cent confident that Mike wins.”

Improvements aside, Henderson’s sheer toughness, durability, punch power in the standup and control on the ground clearly represent stylistic difficulties for Bisping. Nevertheless, Bisping isn’t without his own advantages in this hard-to-call battle. While he doesn’t boast the one-shot power of Henderson or the Olympic-calibre wrestling, Bisping is a precise, measured fighter with clever footwork, fast hands and feet and underrated grappling skills.

‘The Count’s key attributes may not be as in-your-face as Henderson’s – he hasn’t sparked out Wanderlei Silva with a left hook, for example – but Bisping remains good in all departments. He’s comfortable and knowledgeable wherever a fight may progress to. That bodes well against a guy like Henderson, someone as dangerous on his feet as he is on the floor.

“I don’t see Dan being able to take Mike down and keep him there,” adds Kelly. “Even if Hendo does take Mike down, I can only then see Mike jumping straight back to his feet. Hendo’s an Olympic wrestler, but Mike has been training with some of the best wrestlers America has to offer and he’s dealing with all of them on a daily basis.

“I believe it’s a perfect style matchup for Mike. Mike just needs to do what he always does to beat Hendo. He needs to stay light on his feet, give him angles and be clever. Hendo won’t be able to set up any takedowns and the pace will just be too much for him. I can really see Mike wearing Dan down and gradually breaking his spirit in there.”

Age may also be a determining factor on July 11. Although both guys boast vast skill-sets and are comfortable wherever the fight dictates, eight years and a catalogue of gruelling battles separate Bisping and Henderson. Bisping, as well as Kelly, point to Henderson’s 38 years and believe he’ll struggle to cope with the relentless pace Britain’s hope intends to set.

“Age will definitely play its part,” says Kelly. “How can it not? Dan is a great fighter but he’s nearly 40 years of age. There will be certain things that he can’t do anymore and certain paces he can’t fight at.

“Mike is one hundred miles per hour all the time. He is relentless in the gym and is often quicker than the lightweights he trains with. Not only that, he’s also outlasting lightweights. He’s an absolute machine in the gym right now.”

Despite the utter confidence Kelly has in Bisping, he’s also aware of the talents of Henderson and the possibility that any eventuality may present itself on July 11. In mixed martial arts, anything is possible.

“Anything can happen in a fight and Mike may end up getting caught by a big overhand right by Hendo,” admits Kelly. “I know that. I also know that Hendo is no mug and he’s made a career out of knocking over guys with big right hands. It’s not a foregone conclusion by any means, but I don’t see Mike letting something silly like that happen to him.

“I don’t think Mike will stop Hendo, because Hendo’s one of these guys that nobody can really stop. However, if Dan is ready to be stopped, it might just come at the hands of Michael Bisping. That’s how good Mike is right now.”

Ultimately, Kelly is excited by this middleweight clash simply because it presents the chance for his ‘mate’ to shock the world – to exhibit all the things he does behind doors that few outside the Wolfslair know about. The ringing endorsements Bisping received as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter series nine suggest ‘The Count’ has many tricks up his sleeve he’s yet to unleash in an Octagon.

“Mike will surprise a lot of people in this fight,” assures Kelly. “All the UK guys who know the sport won’t be surprised. They’ve all seen Mike on a regular basis and know just how good he is. The wider audience will be very surprised by just how comfortably Mike beats Hendo. Nobody has seen even half of what Mike Bisping can do yet.

“This is a new era for British MMA with the success we’re having in the UFC and on The Ultimate Fighter. Mike’s win over Henderson will just seal the deal.”

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