Sunday 5 June 2016 09:58, UK
Michael Bisping is Britain’s first ever UFC champion after shocking Luke Rockhold on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
The Lancashire veteran knocked out Rockhold in the first round of their middleweight title fight at UFC 199 despite stepping in at just 17 days' notice to replace the injured Chris Weidman.
Bisping had been forced to wait 26 UFC fights and 10 years for his first ever crack at a world title, but grabbed it with both hands in three minutes and 36 seconds.
Bisping landed a counter left-hook flush on Rockhold's chin that dropped the American, before an identical punch put him down again and forced the stoppage.
The 37-year-old had lost a previous meeting with Rockhold two years ago but, upon achieving his greatest moment, ties the all-time record of Georges St-Pierre for the most ever UFC victories (19).
"People said I had no punching power but I knew I could punch," he said post-fight. "This guy finishes everybody in the first round but check this out."
Rockhold said: "I should have capitalised rather than play around with him. He's a tough guy and a warrior."
Elsewhere, Dominick Cruz defended his bantamweight championship against Urijah Faber via unanimous decision.
Cruz comfortably outpointed Faber over the 25-minute duration to end a rivalry spanning nine years. Faber won their first meeting in 2007 before Cruz evened the score five years ago.
He has now completed the first defence since regaining the 135lbs title.
Birmingham's Tom Breese lost his unbeaten record after a split decision loss to Sean Strickland.
