Bisping retains middleweight title in dramatic bout with Henderson

Michael Bisping exorcised the demons at UFC 204.

The UFC's first British champion successfully defended his middleweight title for the first time and avenged the worst loss of his career with a unanimous decision win over Dan Henderson in the main event on Saturday in Manchester, England.

Making the evening even more special, the 20th victory of Bisping's career gives him the record for the most wins by any fighter inside the Octagon. He was previously tied with welterweight great Georges St-Pierre.

Bisping moved into second place for the most total time spent in a UFC cage, and he is now on a career best five-fight UFC win streak.

In the wake of all of those extraordinary achievements, one could almost forget that this was the final fight of Henderson's illustrious career.

Related: Henderson announces retirement after losing to champ Bisping at UFC 204

If this is truly the end for "Hendo," he left everything in the cage in his last shot at that elusive UFC title.

Henderson and Bisping first fought seven years ago at UFC 100, a bout that ended with Bisping on the receiving end of an unforgettable knockout. History almost repeated itself in Round 1.

Henderson caught Bisping cleanly with his infamous H-Bomb right hand, sending the champ down in a heap where Henderson was all over him looking for the finish. Referee Yves Lavigne gave Bisping every chance to recover, which proved wise as Bisping managed to stay in the fight.

The second round was far more favorable for Bisping as he out-struck Henderson by a wide margin. However, the scoring was muddied in the closing moments as Henderson again knocked down Bisping with a right hand.

Astonishingly, the 46-year-old Henderson may have been up on the scorecards after two rounds.

From there, Bisping showed the resolve that made him such an unlikely champion in the first place. "The Count" would not be knocked down again, and he cranked up his output while Henderson faded. Bisping won a clear-cut third round while Henderson looked gassed going into the championship frames.

Bisping expertly utilized kicks to keep the always dangerous Henderson at bay in Round 4, though he may have used them too well as the action was briefly halted by Henderson being clipped with a low blow. As Henderson took a few minutes to recover, Bisping taunted him, much to the delight of the Manchester crowd.

In Round 5, Bisping continued to pepper Henderson with long jabs and leg kicks, though Henderson did manage a takedown. He couldn't do much with it and soon the action returned to the feet where Bisping stalked Henderson for the remainder of the bout.

As he often does, Bisping looked the worse for wear, but he'd done enough in 25 minutes of action to win over all three judges.

Post-fight, Bisping went on the warpath and challenged the credentials of middleweight contenders Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, and Yoel Romero.

After the dust settled, it was Henderson's time to say a fond farewell to the sport that he's been competing in since 1997. UFC commentator Brian Stann handed Henderson the microphone and got out of the way.

"That was the last time that anyone will see me fight live," Henderson said.

Fittingly, he gave MMA fans one more classic moment to remember him by.