NEWARK, N.J. - This time, Michael Bisping wasn't on the favorable end of a split decision.

Bisping suffered the first defeat of his mixed martial arts career when losing to Rashad Evans in the main event of Saturday night's UFC 78 pay-per-view show emanating from the Prudential Center.

Two judges scored the fight 29-28 in Evans' favor. Bisping, who scored a controversial judge's decision over Matt Hamill at UFC 75 in September, was given a 29-28 decision by the third judge.

Evans (16-0-1) controlled the pace of the first round, consistently tying up Bisping and holding a ground advantage with his superior wrestling skills. Evans opened the second round by picking up Bisping and driving him to the mat after scoring with a punch. Bisping, though, sufficiently tied up Evans to force a stand up. Evans also held an advantage in stand-up tussles before Bisping scored with several knees and a takedown to end the round.

But Bisping couldn't follow up in the third round, with Evans again slowing the pace through his grappling.

"I think I won the fight, but obviously the takedowns were the deciding factor," said Bisping, who fell to 15-1. "He did take me down but I was happy with my wrestling and takedown defense. To be honest, I think I canceled out the takedowns."

Tension between Bisping and Evans escalated the days leading up to the fight. Evans refused to shake hands at Friday's weigh-in and the two light-heavyweights were separated backstage after exchanging words. But the fight itself never produced those kinds of fireworks.