UFC 204: Michael Bisping defends belt with thrilling decision over Dan Henderson

Here is how the UFC 204 middleweight title fight between Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson played out

On Saturday, October 8, reigning middleweight champion Michael Bisping put his title on the line against longtime MMA veteran Dan Henderson in the main event of UFC 204. The entire event went down at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

Henderson defeated Bisping in their initial bout UFC 100 in July 2009, where fans saw the American legend walk away one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history. The punch–and the flying follow-up blow–earned him numerous Knockout of the Year awards and is forever etched in the minds of those who saw it.

Here is how the fight unfolded, round-by-round, including FanSided’s scoring of the fight.

ROUND 1: With crowd on their feet, these two Octagon warriors met in the center of the Octagon. Henderson immediately took the outside, looking to land his much vaunted right hand. Bisping pressed forward with a left kick but Henderson evaded easily. After a fairly long feeling out process, Henderson connected with a straight left. He looked to follow-up with a wild overhand right but badly. With two minutes left in the round, Henderson pressed forward with more jabs to the blooded face of Bisping. As the round reached the one minute mark, Henderson was again looked to land the overhand right but Bisping evaded. Henderson would eventually drop the champion with a right and immediately swarmed in for the kill. While Bisping would eventually recover and climb his way back to his feet, Henderson unloaded with a barrage of strikes against the fence to close out the round. FanSided 10-9 Henderson

ROUND 2: With blood leaking from his face, Bisping looked to erase the memory of the last round as he pumped the jab from the center of the Octagon before landing a left headkick. Bisping continued to press the attack as he landed a lead left hook to the visibly exhausted Henderson. As he opponent circled away from the jab, Henderson landed a hard right knee between the eyes before following up with a leaping left body kick. After a clear low blow from Bisping, which the referee didn’t see, Henderson once again dropped the champion with another overhand right. Henderson would close the round out working from within Bisping full guard. FanSided scores it 10-9 Henderson

ROUND 3: With two round under their belt, Bisping once again took the outside of the Octagon as he looked to land a series of combos. Henderson snapped in a left hook but Bisping simply walked through it. As Henderson slowed down his pace, Bisping picked up his attack as he battered his opponent with crisp combos and leg kicks. Wit his confidence soaring, Bisping refused to take his foot off the gas as he stalked down a tiring Henderson to close out the round. FanSided scores it 10-9 Bisping

ROUND 4: As they reached the championship rounds, Henderson continued to take heavy breaths as he looked to avoid damage from the outside. While Henderson did manage to land a left hook and a straight right, it did little to slow the pace of Bisping who slung a series of left hooks and high kicks. After quick pause to the action after accidental low blow from Bisping, the fight picked back up with two minutes left in the round. Henderson tried in vain to land another overhand right but could only connect with air. Henderson closed out the round with a solid knee between the eyes. FanSided scores it 10-9 Bisping

ROUND 5: With only one round to go both fighters met in the center of the Octagon to lay it all on the line. With his cornermen calling for him to press the attack. Henderson continued to swing and miss with almost every strike he threw. Bisping would go onto counter with a straight right followed by a flush kick to the body. As the clock hit two minutes, Henderson finally secured the takedown against the fence but couldn’t land any offense as Bisping scrambled back to his feet. Henderson once against looked to land secure a takedown but Bisping defended to close out the round. FanSided scores it 10-9 Bisping

OFFICIAL RESULTS: Michael Bisping def. Dan Henderson by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)