Dan Henderson nearly wrote his storybook ending ... but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Michael Bisping avenged an old wound and defended his UFC middleweight title on Saturday night, capturing a divisive unanimous decision win over Henderson in front of his hometown crowd in Manchester, England at UFC 204. Afterward, Henderson announced an end to his legendary mixed martial arts career, but should the 46-year-old have walked away as a champion? The pros sound off below.

Hendo & Big Country have my favorite game plans — Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) October 9, 2016

AND STILL @bisping !! Heck of a fight! @danhendo is and always will be a Legend #UFC204 — KailinCurran (@KailinCurran) October 9, 2016

@danhendo won that fight, brilliant takedown. A man that never gave up and without a doubt one of my idols!!!!!!!!!!! #UFC205 — Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 9, 2016

I can see it going Hendos way. #UFC204 — #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) October 9, 2016

What a fight!!! I had it scored for Hendo but heck of a fight!!!! #UFC204 #hendo #bisping https://t.co/CwmpVmW2m1 — Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) October 9, 2016

I love @bisping he give credit straight away @danhendo is a legend of the sport — Joe Duffy (@Duffy_MMA) October 9, 2016

Look at #Bisping 's FACE !!! Jeeze — Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) October 9, 2016

I am so upset right now. Biased AF but give it to the legend @danhendo he is a true OG so impressed with his performance #UFC204 @legend — Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) October 9, 2016

Was Bisping/Anderson in England? If so, I may opt to never fight there vs an english fighter. #UFC — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) October 9, 2016

This guy calls out @ChrisWeidmanUFC after being gifted a win by his country judge. @danhendo won — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) October 9, 2016

Great fight. Definitely kept me on the edge of my feet @danhendo is a LEGEND folks — Angela Lee (@Unstoppable_Lee) October 9, 2016

@TSPMMA115 I thought Bisping won. But, I so badly wanted Hendo to win. — Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) October 9, 2016

Man that stinks @danhendo is a #beast he should have gotten his hand raised. — CHRIS GRUETZEMACHER (@sodapopfuzz) October 9, 2016





My Heart Hurts 4 @danhendo #UFC204 Lots of RESPECT Legend Hendo "I wish they would judge you by the way you look after the fight" Oss Coach — Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) October 9, 2016

Rule #1 in MMA: Don't leave it in the hands of the judges. Didn't see the fight, I appreciate a scrap. Congrats to the champ & to Dan. #mma — AJ Matthews (@AJ_MMA) October 9, 2016





I beat Hendo in less than 2 minutes and @bisping went 5 rounds with him. Fuck it, let's just go for gold! @danawhite give me the champ! — Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) October 9, 2016

The last thing Hendo ever did in the Octagon was a wheel kick. Let that sink in. #ufc204 — Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) October 9, 2016

GEGARD MOUSASI DEF. VITOR BELFORT

@mousasi_mma show he still can be a top contender on this division #UFC204 — Roan Jucao (@jucao) October 9, 2016

Excellent work from @mousasi_mma ... Controlled pressure and a gorgeous pass to mount before the finish #UFC204 — Zachary Makovsky (@ZachFunSize) October 9, 2016

War #dreamcatcher number 1 — Zebrinha MMA (@EricSpicely) October 9, 2016

I just saw @mousasi_mma smile. Best night of my life #UFC204 — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) October 9, 2016

@SpiderAnderson respect. But it is time for us to make history. It's inevitable. See you in December. @danawhite make it happen! — Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) October 9, 2016

JIMI MANUWA DEF. OVINCE SAINT PREUX

Left hook to the body, repeat...then upstairs. Textbook. Stooooopid power! #UFCManchester — Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) October 9, 2016

Wow what a knockout!! @ufc I hope OSP didn't injure his knee on the drop tho! — Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) October 9, 2016

Get in there @POSTERBOYJM !! The finishes just keep coming #UFC204 — scott askham (@scottaskham1) October 9, 2016

Damn that was vicious — James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 9, 2016

STEFAN STRUVE DEF. DANIEL OMIELANCZUK

Great finish by Struve with that long man game! — James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) October 9, 2016

At least he used his reach some how. Congrats, Skyscraper! #UFC204 — The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) October 9, 2016

That was an awesome submission #ufc204 — Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) October 9, 2016

Struve is what you look like when you eat all of your veggies as a kid! #UFC204 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 9, 2016

MIRSAD BEKTIC DEF. RUSSELL DOANE

Bektic has some crisp boxing and a slick ground game! 11-0 #ufc204 — Richy Walsh MMA (@RichyMMA) October 9, 2016

@MirsadBekticMMA is a beast. I've said that a long time seeing him fight local. Congrats bro! #UFC — Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) October 9, 2016

Mirsad stamping an 11 - 0 record with the RNC of his late replacement. Bravo, Sir! #unblemished #UFC204 — The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) October 9, 2016