UFC 204 live: Michael Bisping vs Dan Henderson latest news and results including what time does it start
Follow the latest from fight week ahead of Michael Bisping vs Dan Henderson II at UFC 204
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Michael Bisping defends the UFC middleweight championship against Dan Henderson on Sunday morning in Manchester at UFC 204 in rematch of their UFC 100 classic. Follow all the action live as we build up to the showcase event.
- Who is Michael Bisping and what is his background?
- How Bisping became the United Kingdom’s first ever UFC champion
- The Independent’s exclusive interview with Michael Bisping
- Vitor Belfort faces Gegard Mousasi on undercard
- Ovince Saint Preux takes on Jimi Manuwa in light heavyweight clash
- Londoner Brad Pickett heads preliminary card
Follow the live action below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Full UFC 204 fight card:
Michael Bisping (c) vs Dan Henderson
Vitor Belfort vs Gegard Mousasi
Ovince Saint Preux vs Jimi Manuwa
Stefan Struve vs Daniel Omielanczuk
Mirsad Bektic vs Russell Doane
Preliminary Card
Iuri Alcantara vs Brad Pickett
Ian Entwistle vs Rob Font
Damian Stasiak vs Davey Grant
Leon Edwards vs Albert Tumenov
Preliminary Card
Danny Roberts vs Mike Perry
Leonardo Santos vs Adriano Martins
Lukasz Sajewski vs Marc Diakiese
Day 1: Open Workouts
The week kicked off with the UFC 204 open workout sessions which took place at the Manchester Arena.
Gegard Mousasi, Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping all took it in turns to take to the stage and put on a light workout session before taking questions from fans and media.
Gegard Mousasi
Mousasi took the stage first and after a brief workout, he gave an honest opinion on where a win against Vitor Belfort on Saturday night puts him in the middleweight division.
Vitor Belfort
The legendary Vitor Belfort isn't contemplating retirement just yet. Speaking at the open workouts, the UFC legend said he was by no means done and was looking forward to his scrap with Gegard Mousasi on Saturday night.
Dan Henderson
Dan Henderson didn't work up a sweat last evening at the open workouts, but he did a great job of trying to win the hearts of the Manchester fans as he spoke about his retirement and his joy of fighting in the UK. The American mentioned that he was mentally and physically ready to retire this Saturday, and that his battle with Bisping would definitely be his last.
Michael Bisping
The final man to take the stage was the hometown hero Michael Bisping and he wasn't messing around. After hitting the pads and drilling some chain grappling and submissions, the UFC middleweight champion took the mic and answered the mutltitude of questions fired in his direction. Unsurprisingly, the man from Manchester was confident of victory on Saturday night and said he'd do anything he could to finish the fight inside the distance.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the UFC 204 media day.
Ahead of the big main event on Saturday ... some UFC pros have been giving their prediction on how they think Michael Bisping vs Dan Henderson will go down.
“The knockout Michael Bisping suffered against Henderson at UFC 100 has followed him for the past seven years. Using that as motivation, he continued his campaign, showing improvements in his game and beating some of the best in the sport. At the end of May this year, Bisping realised his dream of becoming the champion. Now, in his first defence he returns home to Manchester and has the opportunity to even the score against a man that has become one of the most decorated and respected athletes in the sport. Will Michael be able to put the loss behind him and send Henderson into retirement, or will the ‘H-Bomb’ silence the Bisping fans one more time?”
Dan Hardy, UFC welterweight and commentator
“Dan Henderson always has a chance but I think he is a little slower now and his timing isn’t there. Bisping is the favourite and should take it but I’d never count out Dan Henderson.”
Gegard Mousasi, #9 UFC middleweight
“Bisping will win the fight—He has fought against the best fighters in the world since the first fight. No one gives Michael enough credit for coming back from such a big knockout. He won the world title. He deserves his shot at redemption. Mike will correct all the wrongs in the first fight and he will pick him off. Dan Henderson is still knocking out fighters at his age but Bisping will use his speed and size to his advantage. Henderson doesn’t transition too well anymore. Bisping can take advantage of it. Henderson will get tired in a five round fight and the longer the fight goes on, the better for Bisping. Mike thrives on knowing that he is the hometown hero.”
Ross Pearson, UFC welterweight/lightweight
“This is Michael’s first title defence and an opportunity to redeem himself after his first fight with Henderson. Both are UFC veterans who have done so much for the sport but I believe this is Bisping’s time – he won the belt, he’s defending it in his hometown and I can’t see him losing this fight.”
Brad Pickett, UFC bantamweight
“Dan Henderson has nothing to lose as it’s his last fight whatever happens and if he wins he goes out as the champion. Michael Bisping is in great form and he’s riding a lot of momentum. Being the champion will give him an added lift. I don’t think Henderson can match Bisping’s stamina so I’m going with Bisping to get a finish in the second round.”
Marc Diakiese, UFC lightweight
“It’s the first time a Brit has won the title and the first time a Brit has got to defend it in the UK, so this is a monumental moment. I like Dan Henderson as a fighter but I feel Bisping is at his peak, coming off wins against Anderson Silva and Luke Rockhold. Bisping was winning the first fight until he got clipped and Henderson isn’t in his prime anymore. I think Bisping takes it by TKO or decision.”
Davey Grant, UFC bantamweight
“This is of course one of the most interesting fights of the year. Dan Henderson knocked Michael Bisping out back in 2009 at UFC 100 and the power he has, much like his career in general, is outstanding. Having said that, I feel if Bisping keeps the distance and stays on the outside, he will win the fight. If he gets sloppy and lets him in then he gets knocked out but I can’t see that happening in front of his home crowd. I back him to retain his UFC middleweight belt with a third or fourth round knockout.”
Neil Seery, UFC flyweight
“I think Bisping will win. He’s won the title and he’s fighting in Manchester. But you never know, Henderson still has that knockout power – you only have to watch his last fight against Hector Lombard to see that. I’m backing Bisping though.”
Stevie Ray, UFC lightweight
“I feel it’s going to be a Bisping decision win or a Dan Henderson KO win. I think it’s all about whether Bisping can avoid getting knocked out and take the decision. I’m routing for Bisping, he’s someone I’ve grown up watching and got to share a card with him in London. Henderson has got knockout power but I think Bisping is better prepared for it this time and will take the win.”
Scott Askham, UFC middleweight
“I think Bisping wins the fight. Henderson has the H bomb and I can’t talk badly about such a legend but I think Bisping is in his prime. He made a single mistake to lose at UFC 100 and I think he gets his revenge. Bipsing will be too fit for Henderson and he will win. I don’t think Bisping cares where he fights, obviously the fact it’s in Manchester is an advantage but he is the champion and a pioneer and legend for UK MMA. Nobody deserves the opportunity more than he does. He has been at the top of the sport for so long and this is his moment to shine.”
Jim Wallhead, UFC welterweight
“It’s going to be a good fight but Bisping will get his revenge. He has earned the right to be the champion. It’s great to see a veteran being given the chance to hold the belt. I hope he wins in front of his fans in Manchester.”
Artem Lobov, UFC lightweight
Day 3: The Weigh-Ins
It's weigh-in day in Manchester and if you aren't familiar with the setup here's how it goes....
At 1pm local UK Time, the fighters will take to the scales in non-public weigh-in in front of both media at fans at the fighter hotel. Every fighter on the card will have a two hour window to get on the scales and make their official weights. Fighters can only take to the scales ONCE throughout the time period.
At 6pm local UK Time the fighters will then take place in a public weigh-in at the Central, Hall in Manchester Central. Their weights recorded from earlier in the day will be read out as they ascend the scales.
Be sure to check back for live updates throughout the day from Manchester.
Brad 'One Punch' Pickett. A favorite among the fans for his all action fights. Don't miss his scrap with Iari Alcantara on the Saturday night prelims.
The man making his debut on Saturday - Marc Diakiese. The former BAMMA lightweight champion will be looking to make it three knockouts in a row this Saturday. He will kick the action off at 11:30pm on UFC Fight Pass.
UFC backstage interviewer Megan Olivi earlier this week at the open workout sessions. Perhaps Megan should've taken up a singing career? ????
Day 3: The Weigh-Ins
While we await the start of the weigh-ins today, check out some of the pictures taken this week in the build up fight night ....
The weigh-ins couldn't pass without one drama ... more to follow
Day 4: Fight Day - Marc Diakiese Pre-Fight Interview
Undefeated British prospect Marc Diakiese steps inside the UFC Octagon to make his debut this evening and the whole of Doncaster, Yorkishire and the U.K. will be behind him.
With a record of 9-0 as a pro and five first round finishes, Diakiese has build quite the reputation as a man with deadly hands and with two KOs inside the first minute, it would be silly to deny him that respect.
This evening, Diakiese feet will touch the UFC Octagon canvas for the first time and with a blonde streak running through the middle of his hair, the Brit knows that he will have to put his performance on if he is to make himself stand apart from the crowd.
“This is just my style,” said Diekiese. “You got to perform at the end of the day. So if you put in good performances people will notice you. I think I’ve been noticed because of my performances so that’s just the way it is.”
With great knockout power comes great expectations but Diakiese doesn’t mind and just wants to give the fans what they come to see.
“I don’t mind,” said Diekiese. “It’s a good thing really because it makes me train harder. That’s what people want so that’s what I’m going to give them.”
Original opponent Reza Madadi had to pull out citing an eye injury and so Poland’s Lukasz Sajewski has offered to step in on short notice and has his own back against the wall going 0-2 in the UFC since making his debut for the promotion in June of 2015.
With Sajewski vs. Diakiese scheduled for a midnight start time, the British 155lbs prospect plans on getting things done before the clock strikes midnight.
“I’ve been looking sharp lately,” said Diakiese. “I do feel if I land in the first round he’s going down. I’m going to go there and do what I do best and knock him out.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies