Michael Bisping KOs Luke Rockhold to win UFC title

Nissi Icasiano

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Michael Bisping KOs Luke Rockhold to win UFC title

AFP

Michael Bisping knocks out Luke Rockhold in round 1 to realize his UFC championship dream

 

MANILA, Philippines – English fighter Michael Bisping turned his dream of becoming a mixed martial arts world champion into reality by knocking out Luke Rockhold in the main event of UFC 199 on Sunday, June 5 (Manila time) at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

It was 10 years in the making for Bisping, who got the job done by stunning Rockhold with an over-the-top left hook to the temple before delivering another one to the chin to compel referee “Big” John McCarthy at the 3:36 mark of the first round.


 

Bisping, who stepped in as a replacement to Chris Weidman on less than two weeks’ notice, waited patiently for the right time to expose Rockhold as the champion was persistent in pummeling the 37-year-old brash Brit with different variations of foot-strikes. 

On several occasions, Rockhold was able to force Bisping to move a few steps backward as he utilized his front kicks and body kicks against his surging foe as he tried to cut off the distance. 

When Rockhold came forward and stood upright in front of Bisping, “The Count” responded by connecting with a chopping counter left hand that instantly rocked the highly-regarded American striker. 

Rockhold tried to return to his feet, but he was immediately received with a clean left hook that dropped him along the cage fence, giving Bisping an opening to seal the deal with follow-up punches. 

“I’ve been a fighter since I came out of my mother. This is my dream. No one will take this away from me,” Bisping said in the post-fight interview.

With the impressive triumph over Rockhold, Bisping improves to a 29-7 professional record and extends his winning streak to 4 fights.

Both men were no strangers to each other as Rockhold submitted Bisping with a second-round guillotine choke in November 2014.

However, it was a different story in the rematch as Bisping turned the lights off on Rockhold to have the UFC middleweight championship belt fastened around his waist.

“Apart from my children and my wife, this is the greatest day of my life,” Bisping stated. 

On the other hand, Rockhold downgrades his prizefighting slate to 15-3 and snaps his 5-bout victory parade with the disappointing defeat to Bisping. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!