Michael Bisping searches for redemption

UFC 204 offers the rare chance at redemption for middleweight champion Michael Bisping. One he’s been searching for since the night he was knocked out at the hands of Dan Henderson at UFC 100.

While the story here is the rematch between the two, it should be noted that win, lose or draw, Henderson will retire after this fight. What a fitting end it would be for the legend who was champion in so many organizations and defeated some of the greats in the sport to finally call himself UFC champion.

For Bisping much has changed since that night in July of 2009 when fell in defeat to Henderson’s right hand. He has since worked with boxing coach Jason Parillo and along the way put himself in the position of being champion of the division.

Over the last few fights his stock has risen with a grueling victory over Anderson Silva that displayed his skill, heart and will to win. It was UFC 199 where he would get the call to fight former champion Luke Rockhold for the title on a few weeks’ notice.

While many counted him out, Bisping rose to the occasion and displayed crisp and precise boxing that led him to victory as he scored the upset knockout.

Now as defending champion fighting at home he must not get ahead of what is before him and focus on Henderson.

Looking past his opponent could cost him a title that many never thought he’d win. The memory of the knockout defeat must serve as motivation to keep him alert of the task at hand.

“This fight sold-out in six minutes and there’s a lot of people coming who want to see me win,” said Bisping.

Fighting at home can be an advantage or disadvantage if the pressure is too great but Bisping seems to understand this.

“I wanted to be champion for so long and you want to be a defending champion so now I’m doing this in my hometown so of course it brings massive pressure. You don’t just want to be one and done. I don’t want to be a guy who just loses it in his first defense. Nobody wants that and surely over a guy like Dan Henderson who owns a defeat over me already. I don’t want to be the guy. Fortunately I thrive under the pressure,” said Bisping.

The pressure will be on Saturday night at UFC 204 live on pay-per-view. Will history repeat itself or will Bisping erase the memory of that loss to Henderson by avenging it before his hometown fans.