UFC Manchester in pictures: Bisping's 4am battle & rise of 'Rocky'

Seven years and nine months ago Michael Bisping emerged from the bowels of the Manchester Arena to defend his UFC middleweight title.

It was around 04:46 BST local time and Manchester's hometown hero would be in for a gruelling encounter against Dan Henderson.

Bisping, however, retained his belt on a memorable night for British MMA.

On Saturday at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, Leon 'Rocky' Edwards follows in the footsteps of the British great as he defends his welterweight title against Belal Muhammad.

On October 8, 2016, only two of 11 fights went the distance. A then-25-year-old Edwards produced a last-round submission win against Albert Tumenov.

With an even bigger event this weekend, BBC Sport looks back at the last time the UFC staged a title fight in Manchester.

Bisping makes the octagon walk

It was just before 05:00 when Bisping finally made his entrance. More than 16,000 loyal fans had packed the arena, with doors opening around 11pm.

Many people had wandered in from the local nightlife.

Bisping was given a hero's welcome as England's first ever UFC champion and cut a charged figure as he walked to the octagon. A brilliant picture captured the moment the fighter, at one time, thought may never come.

Henderson rocks Briton early

Henderson knocked Bisping out cold in 2009 in their first encounter. A carbon copy of that right hand dropped him again in the first round of the rematch.

The roar of horror from the crowd shook the arena.

Moment of triumph for Bisping

Even louder than the moment Bisping hit the canvas was when he was declared the winner. A unanimous points decision did not tell the story of how close Bisping came to defeat.

Emotional Bisping thanks fans

A now famous picture shows the moment of relief and emotion for Bisping as he clings on to his UFC title. His face tells the story of a gruelling fight.

Baby-faced 'Rocky'

Edwards was up against it when he took on Tumenov. The Russian was considered a big test for the young Englishman, who was competing in just his sixth UFC fight with a record of three wins and two losses in the MMA promotion at that time.

UFC champ loading in five years, 10 months & 12 days...

Air Diakiese

Another Briton, Marc Diakiese had a dream UFC debut against Lukasz Sajewski, stopping him in two rounds.

Despite an impressive finish, Diakiese's slam of Sajewski was our favourite moment.

Roberts riles Manchester faithful

The image of Danny Roberts grinning menacingly and riling the crowd between rounds against MIke Perry has stood the test of time.

The Londoner might have lost a brilliant contest but those at cageside will remember the change in decibel when he made his appeal to the crowd to back him.

Perry edges war against Roberts

Many will know Perry as Jake Paul's most recent boxing opponent, but the American was once a hot prospect in the UFC.

He edged a war with Roberts in 2016 and photographers captured a memorable winning moment.

A $50,000 KO

Jimi Manuwa ended his career with 15 knockouts in 17 wins. The Londoner was a big puncher when he was on form and Ovince Saint Preux felt the wrath of the power in Manchester.

Manuwa stopped American Saint Preux cold and then pointed to UFC president Dana White at cageside. He was richly rewarded with a $50,000 performance bonus.