Bisping: I owe Henderson for KO!

Will it be alright on the night for Michael Bisping? The UK fans will have to get their energy drinks and coffee on stand by as the UFC is set to bring a blockbuster main event to these shores with UFC 204, a PPV no less, it what will be a late night affair in Manchester.

“I’m announcing it,” said Bisping on his new podcast last night. “Dan Henderson versus Michael Bisping for the 185lb middleweight title. October 8th, from Manchester, live on pay per view. Do not miss it!”

It’s been seven years since UFC 100, a night Bisping has certainly not forgotten. On that night Henderson landed the now famous ‘H-Bomb’ which he later turned into his brand logo and that is the primary source of motivation for the Brit who is looking to exact revenge on home soil.

“I plan on putting a beating on Henderson that people will never forget in a long, long time,” said Bisping. “Dan Henderson knocked me out at UFC 100 and, when I was unconscious, flew through the air and delivered a forearm smash that could have left me severely brain damaged.

“I owe that guy, big time. He has this logo of him above my almost dead corpse emblazoned on his shorts. It’s everywhere – that’s his logo. You don’t think I want to get revenge for that?”

Although fans of both Bisping and Henderson have been eagerly awaiting an official announcement from the UFC it’s pretty safe to assume Bisping wouldn’t have let this information out without knowing everything was signed, sealed and delivered.

The MMA community is split, however, with some criticizing the fight, feeling an opponent from the top five would’ve made more sense for Bisping’s first title defense based on merit. ‘The Count’ however feels there’s plenty of time to get to each of them down the road.

“A lot of people have been talking s**t about this matchup and a lot of people have been very excited about this matchup,” he added. “For all these other p**sies at 185; the Chris Weidmans, the Jacares, the Rockholds, right? The fight is only eight weeks away. They’re still going to be there in eight weeks’ time.”

* The September issue of Fighters Only is on sale now and features an exclusive seven-page interview with Bisping revealing how he almost retired from MMA prior to winning the belt, and how he won’t feel like the true champion until he makes a successful defense of the belt. Available to order now.