Summary

  • UFC star Michael Bisping makes history with first middleweight title defence

  • The British fighter recovered from an early knockdown to win judges decision against Dan Henderson

  • London-based Jimi Manuwa scores second round KO over Ovince Saint Preux

  • Gegard Mousasi beats Vitor Belfort while cult favourite Brad Pickett loses to first round submission

Live Reporting

Marc Higginson

  1. First round

    Saint Preux v Manuwa

    This already looks to be a tight contest. OSP is landing some heavy blows while Manuwa tries to fashion a winning position.

  2. Jagroop Shinbt
    BBC Sport at the Manchester Arena

    Croydon's Jimi Manuwa becomes the sixth British fighter to step out into the octagon. Two Brits have succeeded but three have fallen so far.

    Can ‘The Poster Boy’ even the odds with a defeat over former college footballer Ovince Saint Preux?

  3. Saint Preux v Manuwa

    Our next rumble pits England's Jimi Manuwa against Ovince Saint Preux.

    Two man with incredible physiques. And they're nails too.

  4. Bisping v Henderson (ring-walk at 05:00 BST)

    This is what the two men are fighting for tonight.

    A shiny belt to go with the shades and slicked-back hair.

    Nice bit of kit that.

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  5. Entwistle withdraws because of illness

    EntwistleGetty Images

    One man no longer in action tonight is local boy Ian Entwistle, who was forced to withdraw because of illness.

    Entwistle is a former lower division footballer who was forced to retire from the game. He subsequently bought a nightclub.

    So how did he get into UFC? Well, he started taking fighting seriously when he was beaten up by one of his nightclub bouncers.

    As you do.

  6. Jagroop Shinbt
    BBC Sport at the Manchester Arena

    Struve brought a large contingent of Dutch followers along with him and they make themselves heard as their cheers ring louder than anyone else's as he submits Omielanczuk.

  7. Second round

    Struve v Omielanczuk

    Struve hits Omielanczuk in the gut with a stomach-churning knee.

    And, what's happened here?

    Struve has only gone and won by submission via a D’arce Choke.

  8. First round

    Struve v Omielanczuk

    You don't want a cuddle from Struve. He's all arms and legs.

    Omielanczuk is swinging furiously to try and escape the big man's clutches. Which he just about does on the hooter.

  9. Jagroop Shinbt
    BBC Sport at the Manchester Arena

    "That is unbelievable" says one fan from the crowd as they assess Stefan Struve's towering size difference.

  10. First round

    Struve v Omielanczuk

    When Omielanczuk isn't throwing his legs in the general direction of the skyscraper in front of him, he's unloading some big rights. One of which wobbles the big man's chops.

    They're now rolling about on the deck. Struve is trying to smother his opponent like a boa.

  11. First round

    Struve v Omielanczuk

    Omielanczuk's back is full of tattoos. Almost like a painting your four-year-old might bring home from school.

    He's started at a furious pace... steaming into the big fella with some heavy kicks.

  12. David vs. Goliath

    Jagroop Shinbt
    BBC Sport at the Manchester Arena

    Stefan Struve may be towering over his opponent with his 7ft tall figure but with three victories in his last three fights and a barrage of muay thai and jiu-jitsu skills in the locker, Omielanczuk may just be able to overcome the 'Skyscraper' of the UFC.

  13. Struve v Omielanczuk

    Three rounds of a modern-day David v Goliath coming your way...

  14. Jagroop Shinbt
    BBC Sport at the Manchester Arena

    “I’ve come here for Bisping. He’s just an inspiration and has done so much for MMA in the UK and it’s great to see a lot of other British fighters on the centre stage too,” says Steven who has travelled from London to be here.

  15. Best of social media

  16. Jagroop Shinbt
    BBC Sport at the Manchester Arena

    The Manchester crowd has been nothing short of brilliant as they’ve cheered on the majority of fighters to have entered the octagon tonight.

    With big hitting Brits such as Jimi Manuwa and the man of the hour Michael Bisping still scheduled to appear, expect it to be a night to remember.

  17. Coming up next...

    Struve v Omielanczuk

    Poland's Daniel Omielanczuk is giving away 10 inches in reach and 12 inches in height in his heavyweight bout with Stefan Struve tonight.

    The bigger they are, the harder they fall?

    That'll be put to the test shortly.

  18. Bisping v Henderson (ring-walk at 05:00 BST)

    Unless Michael Bisping celebrates a victory tonight with chips, gravy and a pint of mild he won't get any happier than he was in the days leading up to the fight. He's back home, defending his title. What's not to like? Here's his thoughts on tonight's rematch...

  19. Mirsad Bektic, speaking on BT Sport after beating Russell Doane in the first round: "I've beaten a great wrestler, a grappler, a stand-up guy and now I've beaten a guy by submission. I can win any way against anyone."

  20. Bektic beats Doane by submission

    Make that 11 fights, 11 wins for Mirsad Bektic. He wins by submission.

    Only one winner in this one. Dominant.