Profile in the British newspaper The Lancashire Telegraph telling UK readers what MMA fans already knew: Michael Bisping has his hands full with Chris Leben’s replacement, BJJ specialist Jason Day. Day is a tough fighter and its a tough stylistic matchup for Bisping who was looking forward to facing a brawler like Leben. Don’t look for any of the rancor that we saw prior to his match with Charles McCarthy:

Day, whose MMA record is 17-4, also fought at the event with a first round win over UFC veteran Alan Belcher.

“He will still be in good physical shape,” said Bisping. “Alan Belcher is a tough guy but Jason dominated him and beat him quite soundly.

“I was looking forward to fighting Chris as he is a brawler so I was a little disappointed that that was called off. Jason is first and foremost a ju jitsu guy and I had been looking forward to tearing it up a little bit.

“But Jason is a good fighter. He is just as dangerous as Chris - it’s just frustrating as he is not as well known. Only the hardcore MMA fans will know him.

“But you have to respect him for taking this fight on such short notice. I give Jason a lot of credit for that and that he has also been respectful about me.

“I have nothing but respect for him. I look forward to meeting him on the 7th and may the best man win.”

Doomsday for Bisping @ Lancashire Telegraph

UPDATE: The Sun has their own take on Leben’s replacement:

Chris Leben out of UFC 85 fight with Michael Bisping @ The Sun