UFC 204: Hometown glory for Bisping as Henderson bows out

It may have been almost 5am in Manchester by the time Michael Bisping walked to the Octogon to defend his UFC middleweight championship against Dan Henderson, but the pair put on an exhilarating back and forth battle to make sure that the fans were wide awake.

The 37-year-old hometown hero was defending his championship for the first time since taking the belt from Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in June, and in Henderson, he was facing a familiar foe. The Californian knocked out the British fighter in their initial meeting at UFC 100 seven years ago.

And the hometown hero enacted revenge on the 46-year-old Henderson by way of a unanimous decision despite being floored twice by the challenger’s infamous H-Bomb right hand.

The night got off to an inauspicious start for the British fighting contingent as welterweight Danny Roberts was knocked out cold by Mike Perry in the second preliminary bout.

Bantamweights Brad Pickett and Davey Grant were also unable to secure victory on home soil, with 38-year-old Pickett tapping to Iuri Alcanatara’s slick first round triangle after being rocked by a spinning backfist, and Grant was forced to submit to Damian Stasiak’s third round arm bar.

There was better news for debuting Brit Marc Diakiese, who put on a spectacular striking display to stop Lukasz Sajewski via TKO in the second round. And Birmingham based grappler Leon Edwards secured an impressive third round rear-naked choke win over Albert Tumenov.

At around 3am, the main card opened with blue-chip Featherweight prospect Mirsad Bektic taking on late replacement Russell Doan. The Hawaiian held his own in the striking exchanges, but once the fight hit the mat, Bektic was like a shark with the scent of blood in his nose. The American Top Team fighter was relentless in his pursuit of a submission, which he found in the form of a rear-naked choke after 4:22 of round one.

Next up, 7ft tall Dutchman Stefan Struve took on 34-year-old Polish fighter Daniel Omielanczuk in a heavyweight contest. After an even first round, Struve pushed the pace to begin the second period, pushing Omielanczuk up against the cage before throwing his opponent to the mat. Once on top, the “Sky Scraper” locked up a beautiful rolling D’Arce choke to earn a submission victory.

London-based light-heavyweight Jimi Manuwa earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his near-flawless second round knockout win over number 5 ranked Ovince Saint Preux. The “Posterboy” connected with a flush left hook to put the American away.

In the co-main event, veteran Brazilian Vitor Belfort was on the losing end of a TKO to Gegard Mousasi. Belfort is renowned for being a quick starter who looks to blitz his opponents early on but no such surge was forthcoming. Mousasi took the fight to the 39-year-old, dropping him with a head kick and strikes before finishing with ground and pound from mount in the second stanza.

The 16,000 fans inside the Manchester Arena could be forgiven for not being at their usual raucous best, with the event scheduled at such a late hour to suit the American viewing audience.

But once the main event came around, the Manchester faithful were vociferously behind Bisping. Henderson, who had announced before the fight that, win or lose, he intended to retire afterwards, entered the arena to a mix of polite applause and boos.

When Bisping’s walkout music hit – his standard “Song 2” by Blur – the roof was lifted off the building with almost the entire crowd on their feet.

And when ring announcer Bruce Buffer went through high trademark routine before introducing the fighters, the sleep deprived fans shouted every word right back at him. Bisping took one final sip of water before stepping forward to bask in the adoration.

Referee Yves Lavigne gave the two men their instructions and, after a bump of fists, the fight was underway.

A chant of “Let’s go Bisping” erupts as the Count opens up with a couple of tentative head kicks, both blocked. Henderson’s right hand shotgun is cocked beside his ear in typical fashion. An early H-bomb misses as the crowd gasps. “Stand up if you love Bisping” they sing; everyone rises. The champion has been cut over his left eye but remains focussed and extremely cautious. Another H-bomb just misses; Hendo is beginning to loosen up. Henderson then drops Bisping to the canvas and flies in for the kill – just like he had at UFC 100. The crowd first screams in disbelief and then roars in unison and the bloodied champion struggles back to his feet. A wobbly Bisping is saved by the bell as the opening round is brought to a close.

There is now huge swelling under Bisping’s left eye. “The Count” appears to have recovered as the second round begins. He throws a head kick then lands a one-two combination. Henderson is starting to look tired. A big Bisping right hand gets through, and another. A head kick wobbles the challenger who instinctively fires back but misses. The Brit has wrestled back control of the matchup now as he lands a body kick. He then backs up the 46-year-old challenger with a knee.

Bisping lands a hard right hand then a body kick which Henderson feels struck him below the belt; not infringement says Lavigne. The champ moves in for the kill but gets dropped again by a powerful right. This time he manages to wrap Hendo up in his guard. The round ends with Bisping clinging on.

Bisping’s left eye is almost swollen shut; his right is not looking much better. He lands a right hand and a head kick as the third period commences. Henderson swings and misses with a wild left hook. The champion keeps his opponent backed up near the fence, but the right hand counter remains a threat. Another H-bomb grazes the 37-year-old’s jaw but Bisping defiantly throws back. Hendo is visibly tired and Bisping continues to press the action. But still the right hand of Henderson swings forward as a stark reminder that the fight can end at any moment. The hometown favourite has controlled most of the fight but, having twice been knocked down, will likely be trailing on the score cards going into the fourth round.

Bisping lands a nicely disguised head kick. The fans again stand for their champions as he lands a leg kick on the wearying challenger. Henderson connects with another right hand but they’re not carrying as much pop as in previous rounds. Bisping lands a kick below the belt and Henderson receives a welcome breather when the referee allows him time to recover from the unintentional foul. “The Count” rouses the crowd as he waits across the Octogon, sensing that his adversary is milking the pause in the action to refill his depleted gas tank; boos ring out.

The action resumes and Bisping is back on the front foot: two head kicks are blocked; another big right just misses Bisping’s chin. Hendo tries to take the middle of the cage but Bisping forces him back with a jumping kick as the round ends.

Henderson, perhaps sensing a decision that will favour the hometown fighter, flies out of the blocks in the fifth round with a renewed sense of urgency; he appears to be chasing the knockout now. An ambitious wheel kick from Bisping misses its target but a stiff one-two lands. Hendo scores a takedown and presses Bisping into the cage, but the title-holder escapes. Bisping lands a flying knee in the final seconds amid a huge roar as Henderson – with what would be his last strike as a professional fighter – attempts the most uncharacteristic Rolling Thunder heel kick – suffice to say, it misses. The bell sounds with the champion on top.

After a nervous wait, Bruce Buffer announces that the judges have rendered a decision: 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for the Englishman. At 5.25 am the roof is once again lifted off the Manchester Arena.

In his post-fight interview, Bisping commends his challenger: “Give it up for Dan Henderson. This guy knocked me out cold [last time we fought] … look at my face for crying out loud!” The reigning 185lb king then set off on a diatribe against the four top contenders in the division – Rockhold, Chris Weidmann, Ronaldo Souza and Yoel Romero – but he is drowned out by the roar of the crowd.

Henderson also gets a huge ovation as he speaks to Bryan Stann: “That was the last time anyone will see me fight live. I appreciate the support throughout the years.

“I came up a little short but not bad for an old man,” he said. “I gave my heart and soul to this sport. I want to say thank you to the fans for making this fight happen, and thank you to Michael Bisping for giving me this opportunity.”

Chants of “Hendo, Hendo,” ring out around the Arena. Despite the late start, the Manchester fans left happy, off into the early morning light to chase away their impending hangovers – alcohol was being served right up until 4am inside the venue. It was hometown glory for Michael Bisping, and a fitting, respectful farewell for Henderson, whose legendary status had been rubber-stamped many years ago.