Bisping won the main fight of UFC 204. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Michael Bisping successfully defended the middleweight belt in the main fight of UFC 204, an event held in the early hours of this Sunday (9), in Manchester, England. The champion defeated Dan Henderson in the judges' decision after five rounds of intense competition in the Octagon.
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To stay in possession of the belt, the Englishman had to survive a harsh punishment from the challenger, the oldest active UFC athlete, at 46 years old. Henderson showed his heavy hand at the end of the first and second rounds, taking down Bisping and narrowly missing out on becoming champion.
However, Bisping made good use of his good movement and volume of strikes, while Henderson threatened with hard-hitting crosses. Even with a swollen face and a large cut, the Englishman remained faithful to his strategy and insistently connected Henderson's face.
After five rounds of electrifying competition, Bisping was named the winner in a unanimous decision. In this way, the Englishman obtains his fifth victory in a row and avenges the most devastating defeat of his career, in 2009, when he was brutally knocked out by “Hendo”. Furthermore, he achieved his 21st victory in the UFC, which makes him the most successful athlete in the organization's history.
After the victory, the champion took shots at some of the main names in his category. “Chris Weidman likes to talk, but he lost his last fight, while I won several in a row. Yoel romero It’s a shame, since he was suspended for doping”, he shouted.
Henderson, on the other hand, confirmed that this was his last fight in professional MMA. “I would like to thank everyone for their support. I gave my soul and heart to this sport. I want to thank the fans and Michael Bisping for the opportunity. It was my last title fight, but not bad for an old man,” he said.
UFC 204 results:
MAIN CARD
Michael Bisping derrotou Dan Henderson in the unanimous decision of the judges
Gegard Mousasi derrotou Vitor belfort by technical knockout at 2:43 of R2
Jimi Manuwa knocked out Ovince St Preux (punches) at 2:38 of R2
Stefan struve submitted Daniel Omielanczuk (d'arce choke) at 1min41s of R2
Mirsad Bektic submitted Russell Doane (rear naked choke) at 4:22 of R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Iuri Marajó finished Brad pickett (triangle) at 1min59s of R1
Damian Stasiak submitted davey grant (armbar) at 3min56s of R3
Leon edwards submitted Albert Tumenov (rear naked choke) at 3min01s of R3
Marc Diakiese knocked out Lukasz Sajewski (punches) at 4:40 of R2
Mike Perry knocked out Danny Roberts (knees and punches) at 4min40s of R3
Leonardo Santos defeated Adriano Martins via split decision
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