After months of online jabs via social media, a fight between Michael Bisping (24-5) and Tim Kennedy (17-4) finally looks to be set – pending medical clearance for Bisping who continues to recover from a severe eye injury. The middleweight contenders are expecting to meet in the headline bout of The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs Australia Finale on April.16 in Quebec, Canada. TUF Nations coaches Patrick Côté and Kyle Noke are also likely to meet on the card.
Confirmed by Kennedy via Twitter, the American military veteran last competed at UFC Fight for the Troops on Nov 6, 2013. An impressive performance saw Kennedy finish Rafael Natal with a first round KO. Kennedy’s UFC debut came with a one sided decision victory over Gracie Jiu Jitsu master Roger Gracie, with other notable victories in Strikeforce such as Robbie Lawlor and Melvin Manhoef. A two-time Strikeforce Middleweight Championship challenger, Kennedy lost on both occasions to Ronaldo Souza and Luke Rockhold.
In contrast, Britain’s Bisping (pictured) was last in action back at UFC 159 in April, 2013 where he defeated Alan Belcher via a technical-decision. Bisping was out-striking Belcher convincingly before an accidental eye-poke from Bisping put an end to Belcher’s effort in the final round – sending the contest to a premature judges’ decision. Bisping himself was then sidelined with a detached retina, and will be hopeful of a smooth comeback in April.
