The war of words came to an end in the main event of UFC Fight Night 55 as Luke Rockhold defeated Michael Bisping in Sydney.
Rockhold (13-2) started the fight confidently, showing fluid movement and better striking than his English counterpart.
Rockhold was lucky that his notorious purse wager never came to fruition (Rockhold wanted to bet his purse that he could finish Bisping in the first round) as the stoppage came about a minute later than he anticipated.
It looked as though the fight might descend into controversy after two minutes when Rockhold caught Bisping (25-7) with an accidental headbutt that led to lengthy complaints from the Brit but the action eventually got underway again.
The American didn’t let the cacophony of boos get to him and he looked a step ahead of The Count, landing body kicks at will before the bell at the end of the opening round that Rockhold easily sealed 10-9.
The second started the way the first ended with Rockhold controlling the distance better. A headkick finally landed on the temple of Bisping and he was rocked.
Rockhold took advantage of his dazed opponent and latched onto a guillotine that forced Bisping to tap.
Rockhold showed that the beef had been squashed by helping Bisping to his feet after the fight and saying: “I was pissed off. It’s in the past now. I don’t think we’ll ever be friends but I’ve got respect for him. He’s a warrior.”
Bisping repaid the newfound respect: “I didn’t care for the guy but you have to respect him. He caught me with something and more power to the motherf***er.”
The victory puts Rockhold right into the middleweight title picture and he very well could be one fight away from a shot at Chris Weidman’s belt.
