Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010 | 8:54 p.m.
LONDON — Michael Bisping improved his perfect record in his home country Saturday, beating Yoshihiro Akiyama by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 120.
Bisping was rocked twice in the first two rounds, but outpointed Akiyama with jabs, hooks, and kicks over the course of the three rounds. Each of the judges scored it 30-27, making the boisterous mixed martial arts brawler from northwest England a strong contender for the UFC's middleweight belt.
"I feel now is my time," Bisping said. "I want to fight the best out there, and I think with one more win against a credible opponent, I should get a title shot."
Bisping (21-3) has never lost a bout before his native fans, going 6-0 in Manchester, Birmingham and London.
In the co-main event, fellow English fighter Dan Hardy was knocked out by former WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit in the first round.
Condit stunned Hardy with a spinning back fist before connecting on a left hook. Hardy threw a left hook at the same time but missed by several inches.
After another punch on the ground, the fight was stopped.
"I feel comfortable on my feet," Condit said. "But if it had gone to the ground, I would've done well, too.
"Tonight, I felt my timing was right on."
Hardy said afterward he could only remember parts of the fight. When asked what the future holds for him, he cracked, "a headache."
Two more Englishmen also struggled. American Mike Pyle gave John Hathaway his first loss and Canadian Claude Patrick defeated James Wilks, each by unanimous decision.
Cheick Kongo of France and American Travis Browne fought to a draw, with each judge giving both fighters 28 points. Kongo was penalized for holding his opponent's shorts in the third round.
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