The UFC visits Shanghai for the first time this weekend, featuring a middleweight main event between Michael Bisping and Kelvin Gastelum.
The matchup is out of left field, as Bisping, 38, just lost the UFC title three weeks ago, when he was choked out by Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 in New York.
Gastelum was supposed to be facing Anderson Silva on Saturday, but Silva was flagged with a potential doping violation. Bisping, looking to rebound from a loss (and collect a check), agreed to step in.
And by the way, Gastelum is noncommittal at best when it comes to his future in this weight division. He's repeatedly said he intends to return to welterweight.
Pretty strange circumstances, but a compelling fight nevertheless. Who gets it done on Saturday? ESPN offers its thoughts on the 185-pound matchup.
Michael Bisping (30-8) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (13-3), middleweight
Odds: Gastelum -290; Bisping +245
Speed is going to be a problem here for Bisping.
Gastelum's offense isn't necessarily complex, but it's lightning quick -- particularly his left hand. A southpaw, Gastelum is very active with the right hand, but his left is the kill shot. He'll pressure opponents with a good jab and hook from the right side, then bang the straight left up the middle.
As far as middleweight hand speed, Gastelum could be No. 1. He doesn't throw many kicks and hasn't converted a takedown in two years, but that hand speed gives you plenty to worry about.
That's a concern for Bisping, who is (understandably) losing speed going into his UFC record 29th fight in the Octagon. And that's not just referring to the speed at which he's throwing punches -- that's reaction speed and footwork.
Much of what's made Bisping successful over the years is in-and-out movement, feints and counterpunching. The slower Bisping gets, the more time he's spending in the pocket. That's not good for him in general, and it certainly won't be good against a 26-year-old Gastelum.
If you can stifle Gastelum's right hand, the left isn't as effective. Chris Weidman demonstrated that in a win over Gastelum this summer, but even then, Gastelum dropped him at one point and Weidman clearly wanted to take him down throughout.
The fact Bisping took this fight tells you everything you need to know about the man's mental and physical toughness. And in many of his recent fights, he's rallied. He recovered from near knockouts against Silva and Dan Henderson. He didn't look sharp early against St-Pierre, but he was turning it around before getting dropped.
If this fight goes into the fourth and fifth rounds, there's actually a case to be made that would favor the older man in Bisping. He's been there many times before and is an underrated grappler, with a size advantage in this matchup.
But frankly, there's a strong chance it doesn't make it there. Even in victory, Bisping has taken damage recently, and Gastelum doesn't let you off the hook.
Prediction: Gastelum via TKO, second round.