Michael Bisping survived a wild ending to the third round and beat Anderson Silva with a unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night 84 on Saturday night.
Silva and numerous ringside officials thought Silva had won the fight near the end of the third round after he knocked down Bisping with a Muay Thai knee.
Just before the blow, Bisping (18-7) had signalled to referee Herb Dean after losing his mouthpiece, and Dean ruled the fight would continue to the fourth round.
To add to the tension, Bisping was struck with a low blow, while Silva (16-3) was inadvertently poked in the eye.
Bisping was bleeding from several cuts on his face by the end, but the final scorecard had him winning unanimously 48-47.
"I wanted this fight my entire life," Bisping said. "I don't know what to say. I'm crying.
"I worship this guy. This guy is the greatest martial artist of all-time. That's why I'm so emotional right now."
