Michael Bisping is a massive name in the history of mixed martial arts. He led and opened the doors for the British MMA fenetics to think about making a solid career in the hard-hitting sport.
He is the former UFC Middleweight champion. Since retiring from MMA in 2017, Bisping has become a fight game pundit.
Basics of Michael Bisping
Michael Bisping is a retired MMA star. Currently, he serves as a fight game pundit and YouTuber. Bisping works for the UFC, being their leading British MMA pundit. On YouTube (@bisping), he puts his independent views on UFC (MMA) and boxing.
| Basics | Details |
| Name | Michael Bisping |
| DOB | February 28, 1979 |
| Age | 46 years |
| Profession | Ex-MMA Fighter, MMA Pundit |
| Zoidac Sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | British |
| Relegion | Christian |
| Ethncity | Mixed |
| Profession | Actress and Model |
| Birth Place | Nicosia, Cyprus |
Michael Bisping Physical Appearance
- Michael Bisping’s height is 6 feet and 1 inch.
- He keeps his natural body weight at 85 kg. Long after retiring, he has not left fitness behind.
- Stance: Orthodox.
- Eye: Blue.
- Hair: Dark Brown.
Michael Bisping’s Eye Story
- Back in 2013, while facing Vitor Belfort in the UFC, a massive head kick hit Michael Bisping’s right eye. As a result, it led to a detached retina in his eye.
- However, he did not inform any governing body related to the fight sport and kept on fighting until 2017.
- Even in 2016, he became the UFC Middleweight champion. Then, after taking retirement in 2017, the doctors made it clear that Bisping’s right eye is totally damaged.
- While it showed the champion heart of Bisping, questions were raised about the medical treatment.
Michael Bisping Wife and Children
- Rebecca Bisping is Michael Bisping’s wife. The pair married in 2014 and are the parents of three children.
- Michael lives in Orange County, California, with his wife and children.
- Callum Bisping and Lucas Bisping are his sons, and Ellie Bisping is his only daughter.
Michael’s children study in the US, while most of their relatives live in the United Kingdom. Callum, who is the firstborn of Michael and Rebecca, has even fought in MMA at an amateur level.
Childhood, Parents and Siblings
Michael Gavin Joseph’s family hails from an army background. It was the reason behind Nicosia, Cyprus, being his birthplace.
- Jan Konrad Bisping is Michael’s father. He is a retired British military officer. He was working in Cyprus when Michael was born.
- Kathleen Bisping, who hails from Northern Ireland, is Michael’s mother.
- He grew up with four siblings, of whom Konrad Bisping is the most well-known. The other three siblings are very private.
In Clitheroe, Lancashire, England, Michael spent most of his childhood. At the young age of 8, he began the journey to learn Jujutsu. This led him to become a future MMA star.
He attended St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic High School in Billington, but did not enroll for the university. Michael is utterly fluent in English and is known as one of the best talkers in the fight game.
Life Beofre MMA Glory
Michael became a high-level kickboxer and won multiple English titles. He even worked in factories and a slaughterhouse. It is because MMA was not a high-paying sport or even kickboxing during the 1990s and early 2000s. Michael became a pro in MMA back in 2004. But he had to work hard for years to become financially stable.
Professional MMA Career
Michael Bisping’s story still inspires several fight lovers. Like from nowhere, he became the UFC middleweight world champion in 2016.
- From 2004 to 2005, he competed in the UK regional MMA circuits.
- Then in 2006, he won The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 as a Light Heavyweight. It led him to earn the UFC contract.
- He came to UFC after being the Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion. He defended the title several times.
- In 2007, Rashad Evans gave him his first UFC defeat.
- In 2009, he went to face Dan Henderson for the UFC Middleweight title eliminator, but lost the fight due to a KO punch.
- At UFC 110 in 2010, Wanderlei Silva defeated him in a non-title fight.
- In Jan 2012, he got another chance for the UFC Middleweight title eliminator, but Bisping faced a loss to Chael Sonnen.
- In 2013, he lost to Vitor Belfort, and a year later, Tim Kennedy gave him another beating. He was winning in between, but too many losses did not make him shine.
- In 2016, he shocked the world by beating the legend, Anderson Silva. This led him to become an overnight star.
- In June 2016, Luke Rockhold lost to Bisping; who became the UFC Middleweight Champion.
- In Oct 2016, he defended the title against Dan Henderson and won the Fight of the Night award for the third straight time.
- At UFC 217 in 2017, Georges St-Pierre outdid Michael Bisping.
- In November 2017, Kelvin Gastelum gave Bisping his ninth career defeat. This led him to take a retirement from the sport.
It is crucial to note that Bisping had his peak in the UFC with just one eye, as in 2013, he lost his vision in his right eye, but did not tell the officials. He is also Britain’s first-ever UFC champion.
He had 39 pro fights in the MMA, winning 30 and losing just nine times. 18 of his 30 wins came by KO/TKO.
Life After Pro MMA Career
Michael Bisping is an official UFC commentator and pundit. He puts his views forward on social media and covers even major events in boxing. This has given him a stable income after a decent MMA career.
Social Media
Michael Bisping is a UFC star. He has over 1 million followers on X, over 2 million followers on Instagram, a decent base on TikTok and a popular YouTube channel with 730K subscribers, plus subscribers.
Bisping’s social media feed is all about covering fight sports.
- Instagram: @mikebisping
- YouTube: @bisping
- TikTok: @michael-bisping
Net Worth
Michael Bisping’s net worth is updated to around USD 10 million. He had a well-paid MMA career. Michael’s YouTube channel gives him brand deals, and the views also make him regular sums.
Michael has a contract with TNT Sport to cover MMA, and he is also an official UFC pundit. These are key reasons behind his net worth’s stable growth.
FAQs
Michael Bisping is a UFC legend who lost his right eye vision in 2013.
Eye injuries led Michael Bisping retire from MMA in 2017.
Rebecca Bisping is the wife of UFC legend Michael Bisping.
Michael Bisping covers MMA as a fan and pundit, but he retired in 2017 as a professional.
Trivia
- Michael Bisping’s hobbies are covering fight sports, spending time with his family and watching movies & web series.
- He is the only UFC Champion with one eye.
- Michael, during his long MMA career, never won via submission.
- Michael’s nickname in MMA is “The Count”. It is due to his hometown of Clitheroe.
- In 2019, he became a part of the UFC Hall of Fame.
- He beat Luke Rockhold on just 17 days’ notice back in 2016.
- He is known as one of the best trash-talkers in the fight business.
- Michael has a very close and amicable relationship with UFC president Dana White.
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