Michael Bisping claimed the biggest scalp of his career at UFC London, but the fight wasn’t without its controversy.
The Count put in a dogged performance to claim a unanimous decision victory over Anderson Silva, with all three judges scoring the fight 48-47 in favour of Bisping.
However, at the end of the third round, it looked like it was all over for Bisping when the former middleweight champion floored him with a huge flying knee.
Can we go back to the end of round 3?! #WhatHadHappenedWas https://t.co/VqquhAt4Gn
— UFC (@ufc) February 27, 2016
Bisping was seen gesturing and speaking to Herb Dean at the end of third round and momentarily let his guard down. Seeing his opening, Silva jumped in and sent him crashing to the canvas with the huge shot.
Madness ensued as Silva walked away thinking he’d done enough to finish the fight, the bell went to signify the end of the round and several people from the Brazilian’s entourage entered the Octagon to celebrate, but the fight was not over and both fighters continued to slug it out until the final bell.
After the fight, Bisping claimed that referee Herb Dean was at fault for the mess that happened at the end of the third.
“Well, my mouthpiece left my mouth. We weren’t exchanging blows. Of course he was trying to stalk me down, I was using my footwork to back away.”
“I was talking to Herb Dean, saying ‘Herb, my mouthpiece!’ I don’t want to lose my teeth. Contrary to popular belief, the British all don’t have bad teeth. Mine are okay.”
“I don’t know. I blame Herb Dean for all of this, I think.”
