MANILA, Philippines - Michael “The Count” Bisping fell short of his prediction of a stoppage but pulled through just the same, beating Japanese Yoshihiro Akiyama in the UFC 120 before the former’s hometown crowd at the O2 Arena in London, England yesterday.
Going for a quick win, Bisping was instead stunned by Akiyama’s big start although he recovered in time to hammer out a unanimous decision in their three-round fight. All three judges scored it 30-27 for the Englishman.
Bisping thus improved to 19-3 (win-loss) while Akiyama absorbed his second straight defeat since sweeping his first 13 matches in the mixed martial arts.
The Count relied on his more refined standup skills, quicker hands, better technique and agility while Akiyama, who once knocked out former boxing heavyweight champion Francois Botha inside the MMA ring, fought straight up and with a big fighting heart to go the full distance.
The Japanese, who also boasts of a knockout punch aside from his submission skills, actually came through with right swings when he’s in the pocket and rocked Bisping.But Bisping held his ground and countered by pitching shots, stalling Akiyama in his attempt to launch a flurry.
In the other fight, Carlos Condit spoiled Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy’s comeback bid with a first round knockout in their welterweight bout.
The American visitor thus improved to 26-5 and should put him in line for the welterweight title currently held by recent Manila visitor Georges St. Pierre of Canada.