M. Bisping celebrates victory at UFC 204 (Photo: Instagram/@ufc)
This Wednesday morning (24), Ultimate announced the organization’s return to England. After eight years, the octagon will land again in Manchester, a district located in the northwest of the country and the SUPER FIGHTS remembers the last event in the city, which was hosted by the then middleweight champion (up to 83.9kg) Michael Bisping.
Four months after shocking the world by knocking him out Luke Rockhold and win the middleweight belt, Michael Bisping chose the opponent and location of his first title defense. In October 2016, the Englishman would put his reign on the line in Manchester, England, against the then veteran Dan Henderson then 46 years old.
Bisping’s intention was to avenge the brutal knockout suffered by Henderson in July 2009, at the historic UFC 100. Inside the octagon, if the rematch did not end in such an apotheotic way, at least the Englishman saw his hand raised at the end of the confrontation and emerged victorious in the unanimous decision of the judges.
In the co-main fight, the Dutchman Gegard Mousasi knocked out the Brazilian icon Victor Belfort in the second round and imposed the second consecutive defeat on the former UFC champion. Another Tupiniquim present on the card was the bantamweight (up to 61.2kg) Yuri Marajó who beat the English Brad Pickett by submission in the first round.
Hidden on the preliminary card, the future welterweight champion (under 77.1kg) Leon Edwards completed his second consecutive victory by submitting Russian Albert Tumenov in the third round.
UFC 204 results
MAIN CARD
Average weight: Michael Bisping defeated Dan Henderson in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Average weight: Gegard Mousasi defeated Victor Belfort by technical knockout (punches) at 2:43 of R2
Light heavyweight: Jimi Manuwa knocked out Ovince St. Preux (punches) at 2:38 of R2
Heavy weight: Stefan Struve submitted Daniel Omielanczuk (choke) at 1min41s of R2
Featherweight: Mirsad Bektic submitted Russell Doane (rear naked choke) at 4:22 of R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Bantamweight: Iuri Marajó finished Brad Pickett (triangle) at 1min59s of R1
Featherweight: Damian Stasiak submitted Davey Grant (armbar) at 3min56s of R3
Welterweight: Leon Edwards submitted Albert Tumenov (rear naked choke) at 3min01s of R3
Lightweight: Marc Diakiese knocked out Lukasz Sajewski (punches) at 4:40 of R2
Welterweight: Mike Perry knocked out Danny Roberts (knees and punches) at 4min40s of R3
Lightweight: Leonardo Santos defeated Adriano Martins in the judges’ split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
