It’s official, new UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping’s first title defense will come against Dan Henderson at UFC 204 on October 8th.
Bisping will get his wish to defend the belt in his own backyard as the event will take place in Manchester England.
UK fans aren’t getting it all their own way though, as the timing of the show is set to be shifted to accommodate the U.S pay-per-view audience, meaning that the main card won’t start until 3am at the Manchester Arena, with the main event going live at 5am.
The two main event stars have of course fought once before at the historic UFC 100 event back in 2009 after a stint as coaches on TUF Season 9.
On that occasion Henderson recorded one of the most devastating knockouts in UFC history when he knocked Bisping out cold with a thunderous right hand, and then put a final nail in the coffin of his most bitter rival by dropping down to the mat with a final earth-shaking elbow.
Henderson had been on the verge of retirement following his last victory over Hector Lombard at UFC 199, while Bisping produced a huge upset on the same card, defeating Luke Rockhold to win the title.
Fans then started calling for a rematch between the two men, and despite ‘Hendo’ only having won two of his last five fights and being currently ranked No.13 in the division, the UFC decided to run with that idea and convinced the now 45 year-old veteran to delay hanging up his gloves for one last title shot.
