Bisping-Sonnen grappling exhibition ends in draw at 'UR Fight' PPV
Four years after their first fight, Michael Bisping finally got a rematch against Chael Sonnen on Sunday ... sort of.
Competing outside of the UFC for a PPV event in Phoenix created by URshow.tv, the two infamous MMA personalities engaged in a grappling exhibition match that did not include strikes, judges, or much action in general.
After three five-minute rounds that saw little in the way of any significant submission attempts, the contest was ruled a draw.
Viewers of the inaugural "UR Fight" event seemed more concerned with Bisping's choice of attire ...
Bisping looking mad casual in the black tank top. #URFight pic.twitter.com/FPNaUVsqQE
— Justin Golightly (@SecretMovesMMA) March 21, 2016
... the unique offense employed by Sonnen ...
Ring rope burn is real. #URFight pic.twitter.com/tuAeOjWkAr
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) March 21, 2016
... and the lack of standard ring equipment.
Rd 1 Sonnen vs Bisping done. Commentator notes both standing btwn rds: "there are no stools." Nope, just the pile of 💩 in the ring. #URFight
— Jake Donovan (@JakeNDaBox) March 21, 2016
Neither man could score a proper takedown, so Bisping went in for a flying heel hook at the end of the second round:
Chael Sonnen vs Michael Bisping #URFight Heel Hook pic.twitter.com/PBnKkc2TxK
— ZombieProphet (@ZProphet_MMA) March 21, 2016
But the action returned to its plodding pace in the third. At one point, Bisping was so relaxed that he chatted with audience members mid-grapple:
Chael Sonnen vs Michael Bisping #URFight @bisping does a Q&A during his match pic.twitter.com/7zKb3kt82M
— ZombieProphet (@ZProphet_MMA) March 21, 2016
And if you thought the fight couldn't get any more bizarre, in the waning seconds of the match, Bisping feigned throwing elbows from bottom position after Sonnen connected on the first successful takedown of the fight:
Chael Sonnen vs Michael Bisping #URFight Bisping's fake elbows and @Rampage4real isnt happy pic.twitter.com/9GggLOekJR
— ZombieProphet (@ZProphet_MMA) March 21, 2016
Post-match, the retired Sonnen was asked if, after such a riveting display, he was considering a return to active MMA competition:
Thanks for the memories @sonnench pic.twitter.com/HQzUnAaezY
— ZombieProphet (@ZProphet_MMA) March 21, 2016
Sunday's event also features: a professional wrestling match between Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio; a main event pitting little-known MMA fighter Vyron Phillips against former boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr. for a shot at a $100,000 prize; and a performance by Riff Raff.
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