Michael Bisping's conditioning advantage is all in the mind
MONTREAL -- Love him or hate him, no one has ever been able to deny that Michael Bisping is one of the best conditioned fighters in the UFC. In fact, at times it has appeared to be his cardiovascular conditioning and muscle endurance, as much as his well-rounded fight skills, that have carried the day for the Brit.
However, "The Count" tells us that his advantage against opponents is not so much physical, as it is psychological. "I don't necessarily think I do anything differently, or train differently, or even have better physicial conditioning than people," he tells FOX Sports.
"When I'm in the gym, different training partners tell me that I've got great conditioning and I tell them, 'really? Because, I'm dying here.' I think that I'm just as tired as anyone, I just push myself, mentally."
Bisping says that the body follows what the mind tells it to do. So, in order to develop a strong mentality, he brings an intense, driving approach to every bit of work that he does.
"I don't need others to push me, I push myself. Even if I go out on my own run, I get out of it as much as I can. I'm screaming through the streets like a mad-man, sometimes when I'm training."
Bisping insists that he feels fatigue the same way any other athlete does. The difference with him is that he doesn't let himself stop where others do, in training, or in fights.
"I want to stop but everyone has that next gear, that next level they can go to. Some people don't take it there. They take a breath, they slow down. I try to go full-bore. And it never gets easier. The more in shape you are, the harder you can push yourself. I still feel like a young fighter, in that way."
Bisping simply cannot picture himself being any other way. As always, that toughness should serve him well Saturday night against CB Dollaway at UFC 186.
"It is about how much you want it, how much you need it," he says, in closing.
"I can't understand how some guys get tired after one round. If you can't go the distance, why are you even in the fight?"
