Bisping warns ‘Tiktokers’ about perils of fighting – ‘I’m talking with one eye’

UFC legend Michael Bisping has sounded a chilling warning to social media personalities getting involved in combat sports.

'Influencers' using their TikTok, YouTube, or Twitter and Facebook fame to set-up high profile fights in a boxing ring or the octagon has become a growing phenomenon, with the likes of Jake and Logan Paul both earning lucrative sums from exhibition or professional PPV bouts.

The brothers are far from alone however, and in June this year, the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami hosted YouTubers vs. TikTokers, a white-collar amateur boxing show which featured a main event between Austin McBroom and Bryce Hall.

Unsurprisingly Bisping, 42, has reservations. Britain's first-ever, and thus far only, UFC title winner is a veteran on 30 fights, not to mention multiple injuries.

And now he fears that too many under-qualified fighters are risking their own safety in exchange for fast-tracked bouts and big pay days.

"I'm talking to you with one eyeball, no knees, half a neck, half a brain," he told the Daily Mail. "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."

What do you make of Michael Bisping's warning to social media stars? Let us know in the comments section.

The 'one eyeball' reference relates to the brutal head kick Bisping took in his fight with Vitor Belfort back in 2013, which caused the retinal detachment of his right eye. The injury later saw him take a year out of the sport, although he would recover to achieve his career-high in June 2016, beating Luke Rockhold to become UFC Middleweight champion.

Therefore, it's simple to understand why the Manchester hard-man takes issue with the modern-day trend where "every man and their dog is putting gloves on and getting into a ring."

He added: "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 eventually retired in November 2017 after his defeat by Kelvin Gastelum in Shanghai.

He's since released a book, titled 'Tales From The Octagon' – with topics ranging from prison and homelessness to losing an eye and title glory.

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