GETTY Michael Bisping beat Anderson Silva by unanimous decision after five rounds

Bisping won by unanimous decision over five rounds despite being knocked to the floor at the end of the third - and seemingly finished off. But the fight continued and, with a broken nose, Bisping beat the odds. UFC president Dana White disagreed with the result afterwards, calling it even going into the final five minutes and handing the last round to Silva. But it was the Brit's name cried out by the announcer to, in all likelihood, set him on his way to a title fight with Luke Rockhold this summer.

UFC Fight Night 84 media day Thu, February 25, 2016 Express Sport brings you the best pictures from the UFC Fight Night 84 media day Play slideshow Zuffa LLC via Getty Images 1 of 11 UFC fighters Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping pose in front of Tower Bridge ahead of UFC Fight Night 84

Bisping and Silva was the perfect finish to UFC London which, in all honesty, provided little spark between 5.30pm and 10.30pm. But the main event had the crowd wailing, off their seat, and baying for blood. And it came, flying into the sky from a fourth round Silva kick and out of Bisping's nose. That he managed to keep his calm and continue showed his pedigree. That he managed to win showed his heart. Bring on Rockhold. In the ring afterwards Bisping called Silva the greatest of all time, despite calling him a fraud during the week. Now, though, he was his inspiration, his hero, the reason he got into it all in the first place - again, despite a knee and a foot to the nose. Whatever the truth, it was a contest to be proud of and one that will enhance the sport’s aura.

It may not have been vintage Silva, but he shimmied, twisted, dipped and pounced enough for everyone to have their I was there night. Bisping, the rugged Mancunian, was the more offensive overall - and that probably swayed the judges - Silva stepped back and waited. And Waited. Bisping came, and delivered the performance of his career. In the stands there were men, women, young, old. Suits, tight dresses, football shirts, those bulky New Era caps, actors, writers, one of Katie Price’s old boyfriends and a League Two Footballer. Maybe next time Alex Reid and Adebayo Akinfenwa should go a few rounds - your move EA…

Final round final fight Ufc omg amazing! pic.twitter.com/u0OHsZQxZK — Alex Reid (@AlexReid) February 27, 2016