Michael Bisping gained revenge over arch rival Dan Henderson as he successfully defended his UFC middleweight title in a thrilli

Michael Bisping gained revenge over arch rival Dan Henderson as he successfully defended his UFC middleweight title in a thrilling contest at the Manchester Arena in the early hours of Sunday. Joe Corona Jersey . The Mancunian, who suffered a second-round knockout to the Californian seven years ago in Las Vegas, was given a huge scare by his opponent but dug deep to earn a unanimous decision from the judges - 48-47 48-47 49-46.Bispings 20th victory is more than any other man in the promotions history and means the 37-year-old has elevated himself to a place among the sports all-time greats. In Bispings own words... How I became Britains first UFC champion He said:First of all give it up for Dan Henderson. All the trash talk, you have to respect he is a legend. Id just like to thank the fans. All the support you gave me, it melts my heart. Im not being cheesy, thanks from the bottom of my heart. I know people spoke and said hes not the number one contender but this guy knocked me out cold. Look at my face.The rivalry between Bisping and Henderson stems back to Ultimate Fighter season nine, in 2009, when they coached Team UK and Team US, respectively. Bisping claimed his 20th victory Bisping, who won the middleweight crown in June on just 17 days notice to become Britains first UFC champion, had vowed to knock out the two-time former Olympic wrestler, while mixed martial arts veteran Henderson - a former titleholder in Pride and Strikeforce - was looking to cap off his career with an elusive UFC world title.The bout would be the last hurrah for 46-year-old Henderson, who stated he would retire whatever the result. Both men were tentative in the opening stages. A stiff jab opened up a cut above the bridge of Bispings nose before the Englishman was heavily rocked by the right hand which knocked him out in their first encounter seven years ago. Bisping says Henderson is a legend following the fight But the Clitheroe man survived the ground-and-pound of Henderson to make it out of the round with just a badly swollen left eye.A bloodied Bisping rallied back and got the 21,000 fans off their feet with a resurgent start to the second round, using effective striking to keep his opponent at bay.Bisping appeared to hurt Henderson with an unintentional groin kick before another overhand right dropped the middleweight champion. The third round had Bisping apply continuous pressure on the veteran, with his opponent seemingly content to wait for one big shot. Watch Bisping and Henderson before their rematch for the UFC world Middleweight championship Another unintentional groin kick from the champion brought a brief stop to the action in the fourth, much to the dismay of the pro-Bisping crowd. Henderson produced a late surge, but Bisping held on for victory.Henderson said: Thats the last time anyone will see me fight live. I appreciate all the support Ive had throughout the years. Ive given my heart and soul to this sport.I came up short tonight... but Im not bad for an old men, eh? I just wish the judge had called it on the way we both looked after the fight.Earlier at the Manchester Arena, eighth-ranked light-heavyweight Jimi Manuwa earned his biggest win of his UFC career with a second-round knockout against recent title challenger Ovince Saint Preux on the main card. Also See: UFC latest on Sky SPorts Bisping: In his own words UFC website UFC star Samman dies Matt Miazga USA Jersey . Its a blessing and a burden for nine sons of former NHL players who are all expected to be taken in the first four rounds of the draft this weekend. Kellyn Acosta USA Jersey . Austin Watson, Scott Ford, Filip Forsberg and Mark Van Guilder had the other goals for the Admirals (30-21-12). Scott Darling made 30 saves for his 10th win of the season. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/tim-howard-usa-jersey/ . Pospisil, from Vancouver, and Sock will compete for the title against defending champions and top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States, who defeated the 12th-seeded French duo of Michael Llodra and Nicolas Mahut 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Retired Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he would take Bostons Dustin Pedroia over former teammate Robinson Cano as his top second baseman. Thats fine by Cano, who insists he respects Rivera as the best ever, no matter what. "There is no doubt that he is a Hall of Fame-caliber talent," Rivera said about Cano in his new book published Tuesday. "Its just a question of whether he finds the drive that you need to get there." "I dont think Robby burns to be the best. I think hes content to enjoy the game and help his team and go home. You dont see the red-hot passion in him that you see in most elite players," Rivera said. Cano has moved on out West with Seattle, determined not to let Riveras words in "The Closer: My Story" affect him or his new team. "Everybody has a different opinion. Thats his opinion and I have to respect his opinion," Cano said before Tuesday nights game at Oakland. "Im not going to go too far into this. Thats the only thing that I can say. My focus right now is this team. Im here, were winning. I was over there already and now Im here and now Im focused on the team. Im going to be excited for my teammates." Baseballs career saves leader played nine seasons with Cano. Rivera retired after last year, and Cano left the Yankees in the off-season and joined the Mariners on a $240 million, 10-year contract as the new centerpiece of the franchise. Rivera played against Pedroia for eight years in New Yorks rivalry with the Red Sox. "Nobody plays harder, gives more, wants to win more. He comes at you hard for 27 outs, every time. Its a special thing to see, a little guy like that who is willing to do whatever it takes," Rivera said. "If I have to win one game, Id have a hard time taking anybody over Dustin Pedroia as my second baseman." Rivera cites Roberto Alomar and former teammate Chuck Knoblauch as second baseman hed consider alongside Cano in the debate over the best at the position. Antonee Robinson Jersey. In the end, Rivera decides on Pedroia. Cano has played at least 159 games in each of the past seven years -- and Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon insists that durability shows plenty about his love for the game and desire to be great and stay in the lineup every day. Cano will let those numbers provide all the necessary information. "Everybody knows I play 160 games," he said. "How does Mariano feel? I respect that and Im always going to have respect for him, a guy that I spent nine years with and for me is always going to be the best closer. Thats how I feel." McClendon said he was "surprised" to learn of Riveras remarks regarding Cano. "Im extremely proud, Im humbled and I feel blessed to be able to manage a guy of Robinson Canos character and his ability to play the game of baseball. Hes a Seattle Mariner and Im proud to have him," McClendon said. "One thing I know about human nature, I dont know what Robinson Cano is feeling inside, just like you dont know what Im feeling inside. Its impossible for me to justify that or answer that. All I can tell you is check the book, he plays 160, 162 games a year. I think thats pretty good passion. "The last nine years, hes been the best second baseman in baseball, offensively and defensively, and the awards and the numbers back it up." In the book, written with New York Daily News reporter Wayne Coffey, Rivera says there has been a decrease in atmosphere at New York home games following the move to new Yankee Stadium for the 2009 season. "It doesnt hold noise, or home-team fervour, anywhere near the way the old place did," he said. "The old Stadium was our 10th man -- a loud and frenzied cauldron of pinstriped passion, with a lot of lifers in the stands. Maybe Im wrong, but its hard to see that the new place can ever quite duplicate that." ' ' '