Michael Bisping explains why he wants to fight Dan Henderson

Immediately following UFC 200 on Saturday night, UFC President Dana White appeared on the Fox Sports 1 post-fight show, where he announced that Michael Bisping’s first title defense will likely be against Dan Henderson in Manchester, England.

The MMA community was split in two over the bout, with some excited to see if Bisping could avenge his UFC 100 loss to Henderson, while others thought the fight made no sense given Henderson’s position in the UFC rankings.

Bisping explained on UFC Tonight why he wants the matchup:

“The easy fight from the guy that knocked me out in 2009, which is the most memorable knockout in UFC history,” Bisping said when asked by a fan why he accepted an ‘easy’ fight with ‘old’ Henderson. “The knockout of which is still emblazoned on Dan Henderson’s shorts and banners and everything. And every time I go on Twitter and someone wants to talk trash, they send an image of me led unconscious.”

“Why would I want to avenge the most devastating knockout in UFC history? I just don’t know why I would do that”, a sarcastic Bisping said. “Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Jacare – they’re going nowhere. Dan Henderson is on the verge of retiring; he said one more fight. So, Dan Henderson, put your big boy pants on, fly over to Manchester and I’ll see you in the Octagon my friend.”