Luke Rockhold was unsuccessful in his first middleweight title defense, losing to Michael Bisping in the main event of UFC 199 on Saturday night.
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It will likely level the playing field as Bisping is a stand in for former champion Chris Weidman, who pulled out of the rematch two weeks ago with a neck injury.
Leading up to the event, Bisping stated that becoming a UFC champion was his ‘destiny.’ It turned out to be true.
Bisping didn’t exactly respond in the most grown-up fashion, holding the belt up and taunting Rockhold. “I really, really have felt the support from the United Kingdom, it’s part of the reason why I’m here right now”.
Bisping and Rockhold have history, with the American claiming victory in their 2014 meeting, but “The Count” secured revenge in the first middleweight title fight of his 10-year career.
In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will defend his belt against Urijah Faber in the third fight of their ongoing war dating back to their WEC days.
It was only fitting that a card as exhilarating as UFC 199 would be followed by a press conference that dishes out just as much flare. Bisping was slightly more active, as he looked to move in and out on the unsafe Rockhold. Rockhold was largely dismissive of Bisping leading up to and even during the fight, right up to the point where Bisping dropped him with an overhand right and then knocked him unconscious against the cage 3:36 into the first round.
The assumption might be that Rockhold will get a rematch with Bisping but champing at the bit is No. 6 ranked middleweight contender, Australia’s Robert Whittaker, who quickly tweeted “I’m coming”, after Bisping knocked Rockhold out.
Elsewhere, Dominick Cruz defended his bantamweight championship against Urijah Faber via unanimous decision. “It always got me in trouble, but there’s nothing better I do in this life than fighting”.
In the past, UFC President Dana White has said he and the organization would welcome a gay fighter.
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“In fighting when someone’s signed up to fight me, I’m not humble”. The surprise was he caught me with some punches, so I couldn’t bring the pressure I wanted. If you don’t believe it, you’ll never achieve it. I know what I’m going to do so I’ll tell them what I’m going to do.
