Dan Henderson might not be deserving of a title shot, but you won’t hear many complaints about him facing Michael Bisping this Saturday in the final bout of his legendary career. It’s a matchup that makes too much sense, story and money-wise, to not book. Bisping gets the opportunity to avenge the most humiliating loss of his career, while Henderson has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk away from MMA with the gold around his waist.
Bet on UFC odds at BookMaker.eu
Dan Henderson +190
Michael Bisping -225
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -105, under -115
Please note, the UFC odds at BookMaker are updated daily. The lines listed here may have changed since this article was written.
Odds Analysis
Bisping comes in as more than a 2-1 favorite with a -225 money line. That means you’d have to bet $225 to win $100 on the Brit. Dan Henderson currently is at +190, so a winning $100 bet would net you $190. The over/under in this five round championship match is split down the middle at 2.5 round, with the under a slightly more expensive play at -115.
Fight Preview
More than six years ago, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping squared off as one of the premier main card matchups of UFC 100 - then promoted as the biggest event in the promotion’s history. After a competitive first round, Henderson unleashed a patented “H-Bomb” right hand that had “The Count” out cold before he hit the mat. For good measure, Hendo followed it up with a flying forearm to the face of the downed Bisping, “just to shut him up a little.”
A lot has changed since then. Henderson is not 46 years old and just 2-7 in his past nine fights. Never a fast or explosive fighter to begin with, the Team Quest rep is slower and creakier than ever. What’s more, his legendary chin clearly has giant cracks in it, as he’s being knocked out or rocked with increasing regularity.
But he’s also coming off of his most significant win in years. This past June, Henderson laid out Hector Lombard - a legitimate middleweight contender - to snatch a stunning upset victory as a +224 underdog. That was enough to convince the UFC to put him in a championship matchup against Bisping, who has a big score to settle with Henderson.
Bisping is coming off an even bigger upset. As a late-notice replacement against Luke Rockhold, the 37-year old was as high as a +590 underdog against an opponent who had already dominated him. But in his first ever title shot, Bisping capitalized on Rockhold’s overconfidence and tuned up the AKA fighter to score the year’s most shocking upset.
Prior to winning the belt, it had seemed that Bisping would always be a bridesmaid - a perennial contender who could never make it over the hump. He was the guy prospects would call out to as a beatable opponent with a recognizable name. But now, he’s the champ.
Betting Breakdown
Henderson has not aged gracefully - cagefighting for nearly two decades through countless bloody wars will break down any man. Though Bisping has had his fair share of wars, he is nearly 10 years the junior of Hendo and has built a style much more conducive to self-preservation. Bisping to win is the easiest pick of the night.
UFC odds: Bisping TKO Henderson, R2
How to Bet
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC 204 takes place on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The main card will be televised on pay-per-view following the FOX Sports 1 prelims.
