UFC 204 sold out in record-setting six minutes

Written by Derek Moody, September 10, 2016, at 12:09 a.m. Tweet to: @DerekMoody619

It didn’t take long for Manchester to support Champion Michael “The Count” Bisping by selling out UFC 204 in six minutes. It was reported by the UFC that the event sold out at 10:06 am after going on sale at 10 a.m. UFC 204 will be Bisping’s 1st title defense and an attempt to avenge a loss to Henderson from UFC 100. Their first fight was a title eliminator match from 2009 where Henderson denied Bisping a shot at the champ.

Henderson knocked out Bisping in the second round earning knockout of the night. The embarrassment began as Henderson used the knockout of bisping as his logo. It also set Bisping back as he wouldn’t have another title eliminator fight for another three years.

Since they last fought Bisping has went 12-5 and captured the middleweight title. He also accomplished something many have failed at by defeating Anderson Silva. If Bisping is successful in Manchester England it would mark his 30th MMA win and separate him from Georges St-Pierre with most UFC wins. Henderson has went 7-7 and 4-6 since returning to the UFC.

Based on those numbers there are a lot of angry fighters who disagree with this sequel that’s about to take place. To be exact, there are 11 ranked fighters sitting above Henderson who disagree with this fight. Obviously the fans want it to happen because the event sold out in record setting time. The Count could care less about how those fighters feel because he gets to avenge a devastating loss.

Bisping along with Chris Weidman and Tim Kennedy have taken the biggest stance against steroid use in the division and the sport. A few of Bisping’s losses were directly related to fighters being on Testosterone Replacement Therapy or other forms of steroids. Since the TRT ban took effect in 2014, Bisping went 5-2 and was finally able to win the title. If the ban and stricter testing didn’t take place Bisping may not be the champion. We’ve seen the differences in fighters who were on it and how they look and fight off of it.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy showed major differences in Vitor Belfort who had a TKO win over Bisping before the ban. Belfort also fights at UFC 204 and if he wins there could be a chance that sequel takes place. Henderson could spoil the night again if he’s able to land that heavy overhand right which would prevent the Bisping-Belfort rematch.

Dan Henderson did state that win or lose at UFC 204 he’s going to retire after the fight. Henderson would love to retire on top but fighter’s never know when to hang it up. Assuming he wins the title it may be nearly impossible to not want to defend it.  Losing again to the same guy who’s about to retire is a terrible situation.

It’ll be speed versus power when they lock up in the cage. Bisping is lightning fast for a middleweight and fully intends on outworking Henderson with an overwhelming pace. So much animosity and tension building up to this event it’ll certainly erupt on October 8th in Manchester England.