Last time the UFC came to Manchester

undefeated Mike Perry knocks out danny roberts

One of the fights that started off in the Early Prelims and would liven up the crowd in the AO Arena was the Welterweight bout between Perry and Roberts. 

Roberts had fought twice in the UFC before this three-round war, winning by first-round submission against Dominique Steel on his debut at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, and then by unanimous decision against Nathan Coy at UFC 197.

Perry was unbeaten heading into his second UFC battle, making an impressive debut with a first-round TKO win over Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC 202. Platinum would aim to remain undefeated as he headed into enemy territory.

The fight would not go the distance, but would end very late as Perry would land a vicious knee before a couple more punches would knock Roberts spark out, increasing the Michigan-born fighter's record to 9-0-0 in MMA.

To this present day, Perry currently takes part in Bare Knuckle Boxing with BKFC and recently had a Boxing bout with internet sensation, Jake Paul. Meanwhile, Roberts remains to be in the UFC and has not been on a great run, losing his last two fights by TKO with his last bout happening in London in July 2023.

Leon Edwards begins his winning streak

A fight which might have surprised as to not be included in the main card of UFC 204 was the 170-pound battle between Leon Edwards and Albert Tumenov in the Preliminary Card.

The Russian would look to find redemption in Manchester after losing his previous fight in Rotterdam by second-round submission to Gunnar Nelson.

In the same event, Edwards found redemption in his last fight when he won by unanimous decision against Dominic Walters, redeeming his loss to future UFC Welterweight Champion, Kamaru Usman, five months before.

The Welterweight war would almost lead to the scorecards, but Edwards' grappling and Jiu Jitsu would prove to be a big strength in the third round as he would take down Tumenov and submit him with a Rear-Naked Choke. This would start Rocky's winning streak in the 170-pound division, while Tumenov would not fight again in the UFC.

At this moment of time, Edwards is currently the undisputed King of the Welterweights and is set to defend his title at UFC 304 in Manchester against Belal Muhammad as the headliner. Tumenov is now fighting in a tournament organisation on MMA in Russia and is the current ACA Welterweight Champion.

Jimi Manuwa knocks out former title challenger

2016 was a crazy year for the Light Heavyweight division as it witnessed some of the best knockouts, submissions and fights. But, the English fans would get to witness one of their own enter title contention as Jimi Manuwa would collide with Ovince Saint Preux.

OSP previously fought against Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 197, but would not be successful as he suffered an unanimous decision loss to one of the best in the business.

Poster Boy was coming off a second-round knockout loss to Anthony Johnson at UFC 191 as he did not want to suffer the same fate in front of his home crowd at the AO Arena.

The 205-pound clash would end in round two as Manuwa would land a wicked right-hand punch which would stun OSP, before a vicious left hook would knock the Haiti-born fighter out cold. This would allow the London mixed martial artist to be in a possible title argument and be one step closer towards UFC Gold, despite never getting the title shot.

Manuwa is now retired after his last fight ended horribly, losing by first-round knockout to Aleksandr Rakic at UFC Stockholm in June 2019 which would leave him with a four-fight losing streak. At 41 years of age, Saint Preux still fights with the UFC and was victorious in his last fight as he earned a split decision win over Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC Vegas 88.

Michael Bisping gets sweet revenge

A fight that came to a surprise for many was the rematch between Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson which would headline UFC 204. Their first bout ended in crazy fashion as Hendo knocked The Count clean out at UFC 100, becoming one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history.

The Californian was 46 years old heading into his third UFC title fight as he earned the opportunity after an emphatic KO win against Hector Lombard at UFC 199. This would be Henderson's 16th KO/TKO win of his 47-fight MMA career.

In the same event, Bisping would take on UFC Middleweight Champion, Luke Rockhold, on 17 days' notice to headline the fight card as he finally had his first chance to claim a UFC title when he defeated former champion, Anderson Silva, by unanimous decision. The Count would become champion with a spectacular first-round knockout win.

With two warriors at the combined age of 83, it would be an insane five-round battle as despite Henderson earning two knockdowns and almost stopping the fight, Bisping would prevail and win by unanimous decision while avenging his iconic knockout loss.

The British former mixed martial artist is now a UFC commentator after he retired back in November 2017 when he lost to Kelvin Gastelum by first-round knockout. The same month he lost his UFC Middleweight title to Georges St Pierre at UFC 217 at Madison Square Garden.

Hendo would confirm his retirement in Manchester after an incredible five-round war with respectable rival Bisping. The American would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame under the Fight Wing in 2018 after his showstopping brawl with Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua back in November 2011 at UFC 139.