A middleweight legend delivered one of the largest UFC disturbances of all time in the most unlikely circumstances on this day in 2016.
It is often said that everyone likes an underdog, and saying that is largely applicable in the MMA world.
The UFC is no stranger to Underdog stories, with a number of previously unlikely champions who find their way to the top of the sport, from the entry of Julianna Pena against Amanda Nunes to Matt Serra's shock versus Georges St-Pierre.
But when it comes to overcoming opportunities that seemed insurmountable, not much can keep a candle at the very first UFC champion from the United Kingdom.
Michael Bisping Bewooned Luke Rockhold with Shock Ko to claim the UFC Middleweight Title
When Michael Bisping was submitted by Luke Rockhold on UFC Fight Night Sydney, the British title ambitions took an important hit.
Rockhold sent Lyoto Machida to the same fate before he defeated Chris Weidman in a memorable battle to become UFC middleweight champion.
Many predicted a long -term regime for the Californian, but a figure from his past shocked the world to ensure that this was not the case on 4 June 2016.
While an immediate rematch with Weidman was planned for UFC 199, the challenger suffered a hernia from the cervical disk that the promotion left for a replacement for a notice period of just 17 days.
The number chosen by Dana White was that of Bisping, who had demolished three victories on CB Dollaway, Thales Leites and the Great Anderson Silva since he was defeated by the champion.
The circumstances were not ideal, but 'De Graaf' supported himself despite a lack of training. And his decision to make that leap has paid off in a huge way.
Bisping hit Rockhold Out on UFC 199 in the very first round and confirmed himself as the first UFC champion of the VK and one of the largest underdog stories that the sport has seen.
Michael Bisping was on a film set with Vin Diesel when he received the call for UFC 199
The short-notice character of the Title shot of Bisping was not the only less than ideal scenario for the Englishman.
When the UFC called Weidman after confirmation of the injury, 'The Count' had completely filmed his hands xxx: Return of Xander Cage in Toronto next to film star Vin Diesel.
With that in mind, Bisping had been out of the gym for months, as he remembered during a performance at MMA Junkie's Legend 2 Legend series in 2022.
“While I come in, I am starting to get all these messages and it turns out that Dana had just been to Sports Center and announced that I fought Rockhold in two weeks for the belt,” said Bisping.
“I had something like:” Holy C – P, what is my weight? What is my weight? ” So I ran on the scale, I was like 218 pounds or something.
“I thought,” C – P, this is so typical of my life, “because of all the doubts and negativity started to crawl,” added Bisping. “I think I am fighting a man who has already defeated me, I take the fight in two weeks on a cancellation period, I have not been close to an MMA gym in about three or four months because I have been to Filmen a movie for years. And I don't believe this.”
Bisping then defended the UFC Middleweight Title successfully against Dan Henderson before he was not taken care of in 2017 by the recurring St-Pierre.
The Brit would only compete once after the end of his title line, with a knockout loss for Kelvin Gastelum before he retired and started a career in the broadcast.