UFC 204 preview: A closer look at the UFC Hall of Fame-worthy resume of Michael Bisping

The legacy of Michael Bisping has multiple layers, the latest of which was added earlier this year at UFC 199 when he defeated Luke Rockhold by first-round knockout to capture the UFC middleweight title.

His transformation from undefeated prospect to “The Ultimate Fighter 3” reality series winner to struggling contender to grizzled veteran – and now, UFC champ – has been full of ups and downs, but “The Count” has always soldiered on.

On Saturday at UFC 204, which airs on pay-per-view from Manchester Arena in England, Bisping (29-7 MMA, 19-7 UFC) gets another chance to add to his list of achievements when he tries to defend the 185-pound title for the first time in a rematch of the worst loss of his career against Dan Henderson (32-14 MMA, 9-8 UFC).

Henderson beat Bisping with a legendary knockout at UFC 100 in July 2009. More than seven years later, they run it back, and Bisping has a lot more to gain than just a title defense and avenging a loss.

Check below for a complete rundown of Bisping’s career resume – one that will likely earn UFC Hall of Fame consideration – and the records he can inch closer too, match or break when he steps in the octagon at UFC 204.

Bisping’s tenure

Michael Bisping

He’s one of six fighters in UFC history to reach 25 or more octagon appearances.

He’s made 26 UFC appearances, tied with Gleison Tibau for third most bouts in company history behind Frank Mir (27) and Tito Ortiz (27).

He’s made 11 UFC main-event appearances, and been main or co-main event in 20 of his 27 UFC appearances (including UFC 204). He’s 7-4 in previous headliners.

He’s made 21 UFC middleweight appearances, the second most in divisional history behind Chris Leben (22).

His total cage time of 5:23:40 ranks third in UFC history behind Frankie Edgar (6:02:49) and Georges St-Pierre (5:28:12); his 4:33:22 of total cage time in middleweight competition is most in divisional history.

Bisping’s achievements

Michael Bisping

He won the middleweight championship from Rockhold at UFC 199 in his 26th UFC appearance, the latest into a career of any first-time titleholder in company history.

His title win made him the fifth European-born champion in UFC history and first from England.

He’s one of five fighters in UFC history to win “TUF” and a UFC title. Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Matt Serra and Carla Esparza also accomplished the feat.

He’s currently on a four-fight UFC winning streak, tied for the longest of his more than 10-year UFC career.

His four-fight UFC winning streak in middleweight competition is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Yoel Romero (seven) and Derek Brunson (five).

He owns 19 victories in UFC competition, tied with St-Pierre for most in history.

His 19 UFC victories are the most by any winner of “TUF” winner. His 26 UFC appearance are also most of any “TUF” winner.

His 15 victories in UFC middleweight competition are most in divisional history.

Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping

His seven stoppage victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (11), Leben (nine) and Nate Marquardt (nine).

His seven knockout victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied with Leben for second most in divisional history behind Silva (eight).

His 10 knockout victories overall in UFC competition are tied for fourth most in company history behind Vitor Belfort (12), Anthony Johnson (11) and Silva (11).

His five knockdowns landed from the clinch position in UFC competition are the second most in company history behind Silva (seven).

His nine decision victories in UFC competition are tied for fifth most in company history behind St-Pierre (12), Tibau (11), Diego Sanchez (10) and Jon Fitch (10).

Bisping’s in-fight stats

Michael Bisping

He’s landed 1,414 significant strikes in UFC competition, the most in history.

He’s landed 1,749 total strikes in UFC competition, sixth most in history behind St-Pierre (2,523), Fitch (2,185), Nate Diaz (1,926), Edgar (1,871) and Leben (1,791).

His 191 leg kicks landed in UFC middleweight competition are the most in divisional history.

He lands 4.5 significant strikes per minute in UFC middleweight competition, the second highest output rate among active fighters in the weight class behind Rockhold (4.9).

His strike differential rate of +1.77 in UFC middleweight competition is the second highest margin among active fighters in the weight class behind Rockhold (+2.26).

He’s one of six fighters in UFC history to land more than 100 significant strikes in four separate octagon appearances. St-Pierre, T.J. Dillashaw, Evan Dunham, Chris Lytle and Nam Phan also accomplished the feat.

His six knockdowns landed in UFC middleweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Silva (13), Marquardt (11) and Jorge Rivera (eight).

He’s defended 66.9 percent of all opponent significant-strike attempts in UFC middleweight competition, the highest third defense rate in divisional history behind Daniel Kelly (68.6 percent) and Chael Sonnen (67.7 percent).

For more on UFC 204, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

FightMetric research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.