EXCLUSIVE: Bisping on rise of crossover bouts + 'unbelievable' Chimaev
‘I’m talking to you with one eye, no knees and half a neck!’: Michael Bisping warns ‘the Tiktokers and strongmen’ about the reality of fighting and reflects on ‘unbelievable’ Khamzat Chimaev
- Michael Bisping remains at the heart of MMA with his punditry work on the UFC
- Only British UFC champion in organisation’s history reflected on last weekend
- He believes Khamzat Chimaev ‘unbelievable’ and thinks Russian stole the show
- Bisping weighed in on the rise of celebrity cross-over fights rising in popularity
Few have trodden the precarious path to a UFC title with the same bloody-minded toughness as Michael Bisping.
Still Britain’s only champion in the promotion’s history, the retired former middleweight’s body feels the effects of a career laden with triumph and hard knocks.
So when he sees the rise of celebrity fights and the hazy line between social media performers and athletes, he fears some are risking life and limb for a quick buck.
Michael Bisping’s body took a hammering during a captivating career at the top
Bisping’s career took a toll on his body and he warns those not fully committed to combat sports that there can be tough consequences
‘I’m talking to you with one eyeball, no knees, half a neck, half a brain,’ Bisping told Sportsmail.
‘It is a tough road and some don’t give it the respect it is due.’
‘There are many different ways to look at it, I guess it is bringing eyes to it and a younger crowd but I have mixed feelings on it. The thing with Jake Paul and Woodley, God bless them, they made some money, it wasn’t the best fight but people enjoyed it.
‘The young crowd might think they enjoyed it and start watching more, maybe UFC stuff. I guess more exposure is good.’
The influencer boxing boom has been led by Jake and Logan Paul who have capitalised on their popularity and solid novice boxing skills to make buckets of cash in the ring.
But the brothers are by no means alone and a number of TikTok stars are also joining the party.
And despite the potential for more eyes on combat sports from a younger audience, Bisping issues words of caution to those swept up in the current trend.
‘My issue with it is, these days you see a lot of people getting involved in fighting, every man and their dog is putting gloves on and getting into a ring.
‘Strongmen vs armwrestlers, TikTokers, people that have no business being in a ring, stepping in them because they see the glitz and glam, on TV making money. You can get hurt in there.’
Bisping suffered irreparable damage to his eye after taking a head kick against Vitor Belfort in 2013. He disguised the true extent of the damage until he retired, making it all the more remarkable that he managed to go on an win the title three years later against Luke Rockhold.
Those cross-over fights are a far cry from the real deal of top level MMA that Bisping, who now works as a pundit for BT Sport and the UFC, spent a career embedded in.
Bisping now works as a broadcaster for the UFC and is working at the 268 event this weekend
Jake Paul (left) and his brother Logan have ushered in the rise of less experienced social media personalities turn towards combat sports as a way to make quick money
Having had time to digest the chaos of UFC 267 last weekend, the fan favourite is still reeling from the performance of Khamzat Chimaev.
The Dagestani came back from a potentially career-ending bout with long-Covid to regain all the blistering momentum he built up last year.
‘Number one, it was beautiful to see Teixeira, 42-years-old, finally get the gold, that’s great God bless him. But he’s overshadowed by f***ing Khamzat Chimaev, that guy is unbelievable’, says Bisping.
‘I wasn’t completely on the hype train but to go out there against Jingliang, pick him up in the air, have a conversation with Dana then slam him down and submit him, unbelievable.
‘And then he’s calling out Diaz, calling out Masvidal. That guy, he is a big star.’
Khamzat Chimaev banished his ill health from Covid to deliver a spectacular performance
Three Russians in Petr Yan, Chimaev and Islam Makhachev all delivered superb performances and while that part of the world continues to produce top talent, Bisping has never been more excited by the number of British stars coming through.
‘British MMA is in a really good spot, of course the Russians, Dagestanis, they’re kind of taking over let’s be honest but I think we’re in a strong place,’ he added.
‘I think Tom Aspinall is going to be a heavyweight champ, Arnold Allen is waiting in the wings and then Leon Edwards is right there, if he beats Masvidal he should get a shot.
‘Mason Jones is one to watch I’m telling you. There are many others I’ve not mentioned. Right now British MMA is in the strongest place it has ever been.’
Kamaru Usman is back in action this weekend to defend his welterweight title
Those fighters are all desperate to follow in Bisping’s footsteps but for now his, and everyone’s attention turns to UFC 268 this weekend.
Kamaru Usman meets Colby Covington in a highly-anticipated rematch for the welterweight title while Rose Namajunas defends her crown against Zhang Weili in the co-main event.
As if those card-toppers were not enough, Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje go toe-to-toe and can stake a claims for another shot at the lightweight title.
Madison Square Garden plays host and, mercifully, there will not be a Tiktoker, arm-wrestler or strongman in sight.
Watch UFC 268: Usman v Covington 2 exclusively live on BT Sport 1 from 2am on Saturday 6th November. For more info go to www.bt.com/sport/ufc
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