(Getty Images)
Last time Michael Bisping entered the octagon, he scored a stunning upset against Luke Brockhold to win the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 199. When the veteran Brit steps back in tonight at UFC 205 in his hometown of Manchester he’ll be a heavy favorite to defend the title, with Bovada listing him at -240 against 46-year-old Dan Henderson.
Bisping and Henderson met in July 2009 at UFC 100, and Henderson scored a knockout. But Henderson comes into this fight having lost six of his last nine fights dating back to 2013.
The main card starts at 10 p.m. EST on pay-per-view. Before that, the preliminary bouts begin at 7 p.m. EST on UFC Fight Pass and then will be shown on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
Main Card (Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. EST)
Michael Bisping (c) vs. Dan Henderson for the UFC Middleweight Championship
This was an incredibly close fight that went the distance. After a cautious beginning to round 1, Henderson landed a massive right hook knockdown and then tried to end it with a series of hard elbows. Then Bisping controlled most of round 2 but Henderson was able to land another big right to floor Bisping toward the end, though Bisping was able to fend off a ground-and-pound attempt. Bisping was able to come back strong and win round 3. Henderson was clearly winded in the later stages of the fight, but was able to catch a break in round 4 after taking an inadvertent kick to the groin. Round 4 was close, but Bisping got a slight edge by landing more offense. In round 5 Henderson became more aggressive and tried to score a knockout punch, but Bisping avoided all his haymaker attempts and was able to win the fight on points in front of a ruckus hometown crowd in the Manchester Arena.
185 lbs.: Michael Bisping def. Dan Henderson via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to retain the UFC Middleweight Championship
185 lbs.: Gegard Mousasi def. Vitor Belfort via TKO at 2:43 of round 2
205 lbs.: Jimi Manuwa def. Ovince Saint Preux via knockout at 2:38 of round 2
265 lbs.: Stefan Struve def. Daniel Omielanczuk via submission (d’arce choke) at 1:41 of round 2
145 lbs.: Mirsad Bektic def. Russell Doane via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:22 of round 1
Preliminary Card (FS1, 8 p.m. EST)
135 lbs.: Iuri Alcântara def. Brad Pickett via submission (triangle choke) at 1:59 of round 1
135 lbs.: Damian Stasiak def. Davey Grant via submission (armbar) at 3:56 of round 3
170 lbs.: Leon Edwards def. Albert Tumenov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:01 of round 3
155 lbs.: Marc Diakiese def. Lukasz Sajeweski via technical knockout at 4:40 of round 2
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass, 7 p.m. EST)
170 lbs.: Mike Perry def. Danny Roberts via knockout at 4:40 of round 3
155 lbs.: Leonardo Santos def. Adriano Martins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
