Sportskeeda MMA Awards 2016: Top 10 Fights of the Year

#8 Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping 2

Bisping proved that as a veteran, there is not a single moment to be taken lightly against an experienced fighter

It was almost as if Bisping took it on himself to pull off a bigger upset than Diaz did against Mcgregor. Luke Rockhold had become the Middleweight king by dominating Chris Weidman on the same night when Mcgregor finished Aldo in 13 seconds to unify the Featherweight Belt.

Mcgregor left no doubt in people's minds that he had a rather brash persona of an outspoken, politically incorrect fighter for whom business was paramount. It was a deliberate act that came off as more hilarious than arrogant.

But since gaining the belt, Rockhold had shown signs of being arrogant and disrespectful towards his opponents, as he begged Dana White to serve Vitor Belfort to him on a silver platter. A fighter who was on the downside of his career but still had a spectacular spinning heel kick knockout victory over him.

Luke Rockhold instead got an instant rematch with Chris Weidman, a match that failed to manifest many times over the course of a few months due to Weidman's recurring injuries.

As fate would have it, Bisping was set and ready to go as a short-notice replacement to save UFC 199 from falling off. Having previously been battered and absolutely dominated by Rockhold, only to be finished with a one-handed guillotine, Bisping was wary of Rockhold's skill on the ground and standing up.

But Rockhold took the rematch very lightly, consistently disrespecting Bisping's skill and punching power.

Ironically, as the fight began, after a lousy exchange in the first few minutes, Rockhold got caught big time with a beautifully timed long overhand left. Losing his legs almost instantly, Rockhold sought to regain his balance but Bisping closed the deal with yet another overhand left that sent Rockhold falling against the cage, practically unconscious.

Bisping had added one more huge upset to the year of 2016 and in spectacular fashion to become the new (and probably the most unexpected) UFC Middleweight Champion. But, as we got to witness later, this year was to be full of stories of not only upsets but also of redemption and retribution.