BRITAIN'S first UFC world champion Michael 'The Count' Bisping is coming home to make the first defence of his UFC middleweight title.

Bisping shocked the world when he stepped in at just two weeks' notice to knock out Luke Rockhold in the first round to win the title at UFC 199 back in June.

4 This time it's personal: Michael Bisping wants revenge against Dan Henderson at UFC 204 Credit: Getty Images

And after telling SunSport backstage after the fight that it would be his 'dream' to make his first title defence in Manchester, the Brit has been granted his wish, and will face old rival Dan Henderson on Saturday October 8 at in a late-night event at the Manchester Arena at UFC 204.

The event will start at 11pm on the Saturday night, with the main card kicking off at 3am UK time to accommodate pay-per-view television in the US as Bisping looks to exact revenge for the brutal knockout he suffered at the hands of Henderson back at UFC 100 in 2009.

4 Brit with the belt: Michael Bisping celebrates with the fans after knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 199

Speaking on his radio show in the States, Bisping vowed to repay the favour in the rematch, saying: "I plan on putting a beating on Henderson that people will never forget in a long, long time.

"Make no mistake, I’m gonna smash him to bits and the guy will never even think of walking into an Octagon ever again."

SunSport can exclusively confirm the first SEVEN confirmed bouts for the event, with fellow Brits Jimi Manuwa, Brad Pickett and Davey Grant all set for action on home soil.

UFC 204: Confirmed bouts Michael Bisping v Dan Henderson

Gegard Mousasi v Vitor Belfort

Jimi Manuwa v Ovince Saint Preux

Stefan Struve v Ruslan Magomedov

Brad Pickett v Iuri Alcantara

Davey Grant v Damian Stasiak

Adriano Martins v Leonardo Santos

Knockout specialist Manuwa makes a welcome return against former interim title challenger Ovince Saint Preux, while Pickett's bout with Brazilian Iuri Alcantara has been switched to Manchester after the Brit suffered a minor injury, forcing his withdrawal from UFC Hamburg on September 3.

4 Knockout power: Jimi Manuwa has 10 first-round stoppages on his CV

Bishop Auckland bantamweight Grant is also confirmed on the fight card as he looks to continue his winning return to the Octagon against Polish ace Damian Stasiak.

The event will also feature a battle between two former light-heavyweight world champions, as former Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi faces off against former UFC champion Vitor Belfort, while seven-foot-tall Dutch heavyweight Stefan 'Skyscraper' Struve will look to continue his good form when he faces dangerous Russian Ruslan Magomedov.

4 Dutch destroyer: Former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi Credit: Zuffa LLC

Ticket details Tickets for UFC 204 go on sale to UFC Fight Club members from September 7, newsletter subscribers from September 8 and on general sale from September 9. Register your interest for the event at www.ufc.com/manchester

