Michael Bisping announces rematch with Dan Henderson at UFC 204 in England
Michael Bisping's first title defense will come against a familiar foe.
The UFC middleweight champion officially announced the date and location for his next fight as he faces Dan Henderson at UFC 204 on Oct. 8 in Manchester, England.
"Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping for the 185 pound middleweight title, October 8 from Manchester — live on pay-per-view. Do not miss it," Bisping said on his Sirius XM radio show on Thursday.
UFC president Dana White had previously remarked that the fight between Bisping and Henderson was coming together after the middleweight champion specifically asked for a chance to avenge his previous loss to the 45-year-old veteran.
Henderson knocked Bisping out with one of the most vicious right hands in the history of the sport when they first met at UFC 100 back in 2009 and now the two rivals will meet again.
Henderson has stated that win, lose or draw, his fight against Bisping will be the final bout of his legendary career and he will retire after UFC 204 comes to a close.
Of course there are plenty of naysayers — most notably the other middleweight contenders — who have spoken out against the matchup considering Henderson has gone just 2-3 in his past five fights.
Bisping quickly fired back at all of his critics, including former champions like Chris Weidman and Luke Rockhold, who seemed to have a problem with him fighting Henderson rather than facing one of them with the title on the line.
"A lot of people have been talking s--t about this matchup," Bisping said. "A lot of people have been very excited about this matchup. Here's the thing — for all these little (expletives) at 185, your Chris Weidman's, your Jacare's (Souza), your Rockhold's — the fight is only eight weeks time.
"They are still going to be there in eight weeks."
Bisping vs. Henderson will headline the card from England with more fights expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
