Ever since he was knocked out by Dan Henderson at UFC 100 in July 2009, Michael Bisping wanted another crack at the former Olympian. Henderson felt he didn't owe it to Bisping since he already knocked him.
Then UFC 199 occurred. Earlier in the card, Henderson knocked out Hector Lombard and it seemed like Henderson was going to retire. In the main event, Bisping did the unexpected on two weeks' notice and knocked out Luke Rockhold to capture the middleweight title.
UFC president Dana White didn't seem too interested in making the rematch. Bisping wanted the fight and fans took to social media to pressure White to make the fight.