Bisping was rocked twice in the first two rounds, but outpointed Akiyama with jabs, hooks, and kicks over the course of the three rounds. Each of the judges scored it 30-27, making the boisterous mixed martial arts brawler from northwest England a strong contender for the UFC’s middleweight belt.

“I feel now is my time,’’ Bisping said. “I want to fight the best out there, and I think with one more win against a credible opponent, I should get a title shot.’’

Bisping (21-3) has never lost a bout in England, going 6-0 in Manchester, Birmingham, and London.

In the co-main event, Englishman Dan Hardy was knocked out by former World Extreme Cagefighting welterweight champ Carlos Condit in the first round.

Condit stunned Hardy with a spinning back fist before connecting on a left hook. Hardy threw a left at the same time but missed by several inches.

After another punch on the ground, the fight was stopped.

Two other Englishmen also struggled. American Mike Pyle gave John Hathaway his first loss and Canadian Claude Patrick defeated James Wilks, each by unanimous decision.