And stilll…
That was the cry around the Manchester Arena as Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping defended his middleweight title against Dan Henderson.
The Brit won the bout on decision after the pair went the distance.
Bisping avenged his 2009 defeat to Hendo, where the US fight legend delivered a devastating knockout in the second round.
But Bisping has grown in that time; he’s gone from strength to strength, waiting patiently for a second shot at Henderson.
And he took it on home soil.
Bisping – who became the first British champion in the UFC by defeating Luke Rockhold on 17 days’ notice back in June – was rocked by veteran Hendo in the first round after a bight right hand saw him hit the canvas.
The champ came out again in the second on the offensive and quickly went about picking off Henderson apart, landing some huge punches and leg-kicks.
Henderson was allowed time to recover in the third after a groin kick from Bisping – the second of the match.
And a tight final round was enough to see Bisping remain champ thanks to the judges’ scorecards.
Long-serving UFC war horse Henderson – with a fight reel spanning 20 years – bows out with defeat to the Englishman after a glistening career at the top.
RSS