Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson. Photo: UFC
UFC landed in Manchester, England, with Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson headlining the 204th main installment, duking it out for the middleweight belt. England’s own Bisping came out on top, whereas, in the co-main event, Gerard Mousasi beat Vitor Belfort by TKO in round 2, placing himself in a position to get a title shot.
Forty-six-year-old Henderson got into the Octagon for the last time. The former Pride and Strikeforce champion worked hard and had a serious chance of retiring with the UFC belt. Henderson knocked Bisping down twice, but Bisping survived his H-bomb.
His face battered, Bisping tried to corner Henderson. He attacked quite a bit, but didn’t seem to cause as much damage. Still, the judges saw him as the winner, giving him a unanimous nod (48-47, 48-47, 49-46).
Bisping had this to say about Henderson, who had knocked him out way back at UFC 100: “This man is incredible. He just kicked my ass. All the trash talking, you gotta respect that guy — he’s a legend.”
Henderson’s parting words were: “I appreciate all the support throughout the years, worldwide. I gave my heart and soul to this sport, you made it worthwhile to keep competing year after year. I love this sport. I want to say thank you for the fans for making this happen, thank you for this opportunity. I came up a little short — not bad for an old man.”
Vitor Belfort TKO’d by Gerard Mousasi
Vitor Belfort marked 20 years in MMA by again stepping inside the Octagon. The fifth-ranked middleweight, he took on Gerard Mousasi in an attempt at getting a title shot. Belfort was coming off a devastating loss to Ronaldo Jacaré. Against Mousasi, who had last beat Thales Leites and Thiago Marreta, the Phenom had a fine first round, but wound up TKO’d in R2 and, at 39, saw the dream elude him.
Vitor Belfort vs Gegard Mousasi. Photo: UFC
Jimi Manuwa KO’s Ovince St. Preux
Coming off a knockout loss to Anthony Johnson, Jimi Manuwa had some work to do and did it properly. A powerful left cross knocked out Ovince St. Preux halfway through round 2. Stefan Struve sank a D’arce choke early in round 2 against Daniel Omielanczuk.
Results for UFC 204:
Michael Bisping def. Dan Henderson by decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Gegard Mousasi def. Vitor Belfort by TKO at 2m43s of R2
Jimi Manuwa def. Ovince St. Preux by KO at 2m38s of R2
Stefan Struve def. Daniel Omielanczuk by submission via D’arce choke at 1m41s of R2
Mirsad Bektic def. Russell Doane by submission via RNC at 4m22s of R1
Iuri Marajó def. Brad Pickett by submission via triangle at 1m59s of R1
Damian Stasiak def. Davey Grant by submission via armbar at 3m56s of R3
Leon Edwards def. Albert Tumenov by submission via RNC at 3m01s of R3
Marc Diakiese def. Lukasz Sajewski by TKOat 4m40s of R2
Mike Perry def. Danny Roberts by KO at 4m40s of R3
Léo Santos def. Adriano Martins by decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)