Michael Bisping defended his middleweight belt with a unanimous decision win over Dan Henderson at UFC 204.
Bisping survived H-bombs in the first and second rounds to control the rest of the fight using his footwork and strikes.
The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46, scores that did not seem the reflect how close the fight actually was.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Bisping and Henderson earned Fight-of-the-Night honours, while Luri Alcantara and Jimi Manuwa earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
LEONARDO SANTOS VS ADRIANO MARTINS
WINNER: LEONARDO SANTOS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (29-28 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LEONARDO SANTOS VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Both fighters were tentative and to me, Martins warmed up in the final round, while Santos back-pedalled. The judges I guess, were impressed with the kicks Santos landed and gave him the win. Not an impressive one, though.
DANNY ROBERTS VS MIKE PERRY
WINNER: MIKE PERRY VIA TKO R3 4:40
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DANNY ROBERTS VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Roberts valiantly tried to box but Perry was too powerful and would not let the fight go to the ground. Roberts was saved by the bell in the first two rounds, but Perry waited for Roberts to gas and then went to town. Great win for Perry, good performance by Roberts too.
LUKASZ SAJEWSKI VS MARC DIAKIESE
WINNER: MARC DIAKIESE VIA TKO R2 4:40
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LUKASZ SAJEWSKI VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Lukasz started well , but ran out of gas in the second frame, which allowed Marc to use his speed and outstrike him. Good win for the hometown kid.
TSN 2 PRELIMS
LEON EDWARDS VS #14 ALBERT TUMENOV
WINNER: LEON EDWARDS VIA SUBMISSION R3 3:01
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALBERT TUMENOV VIA TKO
Andrews: Once Tumenov was on his back, It was Edwards who took advantage. Meanwhile, Tumenov was unable to to mount offence on the feet. It all combined for a similar result for Edwards. Two submission losses in two fights for Tumenov.
DAVEY GRANT VS DAMIAN STASIAK
WINNER: DAMIAN STASIAK VIA SUBMISSION R3 3:56
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DAVEY GRANT VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: A back and forth fight with Grant was starting to pull away until getting caught with the armbar late in Round 3. A lot of little mistakes made by Grant by not keeping the fight standing. He’ll be back,, but until then, excellent win for Stasiak.
BRAD PICKETT VS LURI ALCANTARA
WINNER: LURI ALCANTARA VIA SUBMISSION R1 1:59
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LURI ALCANTARA VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Alcantara caught Pickett early and then wrapped him up expertly in a triangle for the win. Give Pickett credit for going down kicking and screaming, but it was Yuri’s day.
MAIN CARD
#15 MIRSAD BEKTIC VS RUSSELL DOANE
WINNER: MIRSAD BEKTIC VIA SUBMISSION R1 4:22
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MIRSAD BEKTIC VIA TKO
Andrews: Doane was taking the fight on short notice and was taken to the ground and choked out. A good win for Bektic, what else can you say?
#12 STEFAN STRUVE VS #14 DANIEL OMIELANCZUK
WINNER: STEFAN STRUVE VIA SUBMISSION R2 1:41
ANDREWS PREDICTION: STEFAN STRUVE VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Struve did what he promised, finishing Dan. Good ground game and took it to his opponent’s weakness. Good win.
#5 OVINCE ST. PREUX VS #8 JIMI MANUWA
WINNER: JIMI MANUWA VIA TKO R2 2:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JIMI MANUWA VIA TKO
Andrews: Jimi just outstruck OSP after getting taken down in the first round. OSP looked to be running out of steam, but either way, an excellent win for Jimi.
#5 VITOR BELFORT VS #9 GEGARD MOUSASI
WINNER: GEGARD MOUSASI VIA TKO R2 2:42
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GEGARD MOUSASI VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Mousasi broke Vitor down with a headkick and then used ground and pound for the win. I think its time for Vitor to hang them up. He has nothing more to prove.
MAIN EVENT
MICHAEL BISPING VS #13 DAN HENDERSON
WINNER: MICHAEL BISPING VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION:MICHAEL BISPING VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: I thought Henderson did enough to win, flattening Bisping in first two rounds. But Bisping controlled the other rounds to get the win. Excellent heart by Bisping and hard luck to Henderson.
[poll id=”84″]
