Bisping is the new middleweight champion. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
With a decade-long career in the Octagon, Michael Bisping He has always been called the “gatekeeper” of the middleweight division, for remaining in the top-10 of the category, but never reaching a title shot in his career. But it was enough for the Brit to have his first shot at the title, even with just two weeks of preparation, for him to shock the MMA world, knocking out the favorite Luke Rockhold to become the new 84 kg champion.
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Before Bisping's triumph, the octagon of UFC 199, in Los Angeles (USA), had already seen the end of the trilogy between Dominick Cruz e Urijah faber, with the triumph of the current bantamweight champion in a unanimous decision by the judges, and the impressive turnaround of the veteran Dan Henderson, who dispatched the Cuban Hector Lombard with an overwhelming knockout. But it was the Brit's unlikely victory, without a shadow of a doubt, that marked the night in California.
Very confident, especially having already beaten Bisping before, Luke Rockhold he appeared to be in the octagon simply waiting for the moment to end the fight. However, a resilient Bisping knew how to capitalize on the first opportunity he had and, after landing a cross to the chin that shook the champion, he went up and connected another blow in the same spot. Rockhold fell unconscious on the railings, with his arms lowered, and even took another punch before referee Big John McCarthy interrupted.
Ecstatic to complete a ten-year trajectory in the Octagon with an unlikely belt, Bisping described the emotion of finally being at the top of the MMA world. “I have to be humble here, even against an idiot. I started to fight because my mother forced me, I didn't want to, but at the end of the day I'm here. I'm a normal guy, more than a normal guy, but I'm here living the dream. I said I was going to win this belt, with two weeks, two days or two hours notice”, he guaranteed.
The Brit also responded to recurring provocations about his supposed lack of power in his hands. “I know I can punch, I know I have power in my hands. I want to thank my family and the UK, this is the biggest day of my life!” he concluded.
Cruz wins at the end of the trilogy with Faber
Dominick Cruz x Urijah faber It was, for many years, the biggest rivalry in world MMA below lightweight. And now, when this clash is talked about in the history of the sport, the advantage in the fight count will be Cruz's. The current bantamweight champion took to the octagon in the co-main fight of UFC 199 with his usual style, based on speed and movement, and gave Faber no chance.
In the first round, Cruz started with his traditional footwork, but the two quickly switched to an intense physical game, competing in the clinch and takedowns. At the end of the round, contrary to what is usual for both, the athletes went to their corners visibly panting.
Right from the second round, Cruz managed knockdown very tough, with a straight left, which shook Faber. From then on, the two preserved themselves – for a third round that would be explosive. In the middle round, Cruz again got the upper hand, with precise combinations and straight strikes that shook Faber, but after the bell sounded, the two bumped into each other and had a moment of disagreement in the center of the octagon.
In the fourth half, more control from Cruz, who continued to move lightly and hit Faber with hard blows. Halfway through the round, the champion landed a straight shot that took his rival to the canvas once again. Urijah, however, remained calm and managed to get back to his feet, avoiding a high kick that could have been decisive.
In the fifth and decisive round, the champion opted for a more calculated strategy and exposed himself little, looking for some takedowns and controlling Faber's back, who even tried one last explosion aiming for the knockout, but without success. At the end of the fight, Cruz was declared the winner in a unanimous decision by the judges.
In his post-fight speech, Cruz recalled his history of injuries and the difficulties he experienced in returning to action. cage. “He's tough, but I'm not surprised. He wasn't a champion, and everyone knows I'm ready for five rounds. I wasn't 100%, but a lot of people don't know what I went through. I stayed away for three years, but looking back now, it seems like that time away was nothing. I'm just happy to be here, to be able to compete and I keep faith in myself, in my abilities”, said the bantamweight champion.
Hendo knocks out and leaves retirement up in the air
Dan Henderson He was always known for his tough chin and his even tougher right fist. And in the fight against Hector Lombard, on the main card of UFC 199, the 45-year-old veteran showed exactly his two main characteristics.
In the first round, Hendo endured very harsh punishment from Lombard, after suffering a knockdown and withstand the pressure on ground and pound. In the second round, Henderson ignored the damage suffered, went forward and, after having a kick held by Hector, hit his rival with an elbow to the Cuban's temple, who fell unconscious.
After the triumph, Hendo spoke about his future and opened the door to eventual retirement. “He is a very dangerous guy. I was in danger in the first round, I felt he was coming with a lot of force, but I managed to get through the storm and I overcame it. This extra energy that the audience gave me is something that I really appreciate. He's a tough guy, but I feel really good now! This was the first fight that all my children were here to see me, I'm not going to guarantee anything, I'll see what happens, but this could have been my last fight”, he assured.
Check out the UFC 199 results below:
MAIN CARD
Michael Bisping knocked out Luke Rockhold at 3:36 of R1
Dominick Cruz derrotou Urijah faber in a unanimous decision by the judges (50×45, 50×45 and 49×46)
Max Holloway defeated Ricardo Lamas in a unanimous decision by the judges (30×27, 30×27 and 30×27)
Dan Henderson derrotou Hector Lombard by knockout (elbow) at 1m27 of R2
Dustin poirier derrotou Bobby Green by knockout (punch) at 2:53 of R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Brian ortega derrotou Clay guida by knockout (knee) at 4:40 of R3
Beneil Dariush defeated James Vick by knockout (punch) at 4:16 of R1
Jessica Bate-Estaca derrotou Jessica penne by knockout (punches) to 2m56 of R2
Alex Caceres derrotou Cole Miller in a unanimous decision by the judges (29×28, 29×28 and 30×27)
Sean Strickland derrotou Tom Breese in a split decision by the judges (29×28, 28×29 and 29×28)
Luiz Henrique 'Frankenstein' defeated Jonathan Wilson by knockout (punches) at 4:11 of R2
Kevin Casey drew Elvis Mutapcic in a split decision between the judges (28×28, 29×28 and 28×29)
Polo Reyes defeated Dong Hyun Kim by knockout (punches) at 1:52 of R3
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