But Bisping became Britain’s first ever UFC champion, at the age of 37 and in Los Angeles, stunning Rockhold with a left hook in the first round of their clash at UFC 199.
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Michael Bisping finally achieved greatness on Saturday when he defeated Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 to win the UFC middleweight championship.
Bisping dropped Rockhold with a left and as the defending champion scrambled back to his feet, the Englishman followed up and sent Rockhold crashing back to the mat with another powerful left that left no way back for the American.
Although Rockhold (15-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is ready to fight, Bisping (28-7 MMA, 18-7 UFC) is surely not sparing his knee.
“This was my dream”. Be sure to watch UFC 199 Rockhold vs Bisping 2 live stream tonight, June 4 and get to enjoy some awesome MMA action from the best fighters in the world. “Whether he had a full camp, half a camp or a weeks notice”.
“I guarantee you, you give me that rematch, I will put this man away”, Rockhold said.
Whittaker is now on a five-fight win streak which has seen him knock out both Clint Hester and Brad Tavares and take three unanimous decision victories over Mike Rhodes, Uriah Hall and finally Rafael Natal, at UFC 197, a fight he won with a broken hand. Originally scheduled to be a rematch against former champion Chris Weidman, the bout was changed just over a week ago, as Weidman withdrew from the bout after learning he required neck surgery.
This will definitely be hard though as “The Count” was defeated by Rockhold when the two met during UFC Fight Night 55. “Other than my children and my wife, this is the greatest day of my life”. Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber have beef dating all the way back to their WEC days beginning in 2007 when Faber submitted Cruz handing the champion his very first and only defeat. “I took him for granted”.
Combining that with a sense that he should be rewarded for being a loyal servant to the UFC, Bisping got given the shot.
And another big congratulations to those that bet Bisping as the underdog.
“I’m expected to lose”, Bisping said. I’ve always said it. He has now completed the first defence since regaining the 135lbs title. Cruz should be the quicker fighter of the two because of his footwork and his longer reach should help in the exchanges.
With the win, Bisping, who made his UFC debut in February 2006 after winning “The Ultimate Fighter: Season 3” reality series, joins the most elite company the sport has to offer.
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After the news conference, Rockhold refused to shake Bisping’s hand and the verbal jabs came fast and furious.
