Michael Bisping is one of the most iconic figures in mixed martial arts history. Known for his grit, sharp wit, and never-say-die attitude, Bisping’s journey from humble beginnings in Lancashire to UFC world champion is a true underdog story. Let’s break down his life, career, achievements, and more in detail.
Michael Bisping’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Michael Gavin Joseph Bisping |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | February 28, 1979 |
| Age | 46 years |
| Place of Birth | Akrotiri, Cyprus (British military base) |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| College | St Augustine’s Roman Catholic High School, Billington |
| Religion | Raised Roman Catholic, not a practicing believer |
| Turned Pro | 2004 |
| Net Worth | $9 million |
| Salary | Approx. $1.46 million/year |
| Spouse | Rebecca Bisping |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | Callum, Ellie, Lucas |
| Instagram Profile | @mikebisping |
Early Career
Michael Bisping started martial arts at age eight, training in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and later kickboxing as a teen. He won regional kickboxing titles before transitioning to MMA in 2004. His pro debut lasted just 38 seconds with a submission win. Quickly, he became a dominant force on the UK scene, capturing the Cage Rage light heavyweight title and maintaining an undefeated record in domestic promotions before joining The Ultimate Fighter.
Professional Career
Bisping’s big break came with The Ultimate Fighter 3, where he won the light heavyweight tournament and earned a UFC contract. He fought in both the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, becoming known for his volume striking and relentless pace. Despite setbacks against top contenders, Bisping’s persistence paid off when he shocked the world by knocking out Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 to become the first British UFC champion. He successfully defended his middleweight title against Dan Henderson in Manchester, avenging a previous loss. Bisping’s career was marked by memorable wars against legends like Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and Vitor Belfort. He retired in 2018 and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019.
Wife
Michael Bisping is married to Rebecca Bisping. The couple has three children: Callum (an accomplished wrestler), Ellie, and Lucas. They reside in Orange County, California.
Michael Bisping’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Michael Bisping’s net worth is estimated at $9 million. His wealth comes from UFC fight purses, pay-per-view shares, commentary contracts, a podcast, and business ventures like his Manchester pub.
Fight Purses
| Event & Opponent | Year | Purse/Reported Earnings |
| The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale | 2006 | $20,000 |
| UFC 199 vs. Luke Rockhold | 2016 | $500,000 (base) + bonuses |
| UFC 204 vs. Dan Henderson | 2016 | $650,000 (estimated) |
| UFC 217 vs. Georges St-Pierre | 2017 | $500,000 (base) + $2.5 million reported payout (GSP) |
| UFC Fight Night 84 vs. Silva | 2016 | $20,000 (Reebok sponsorship) |
| UFC 204 vs. Henderson (Reebok) | 2016 | $40,000 (Reebok sponsorship) |
Endorsements
- Reebok (UFC official outfitting sponsor)
- JAXXON (podcast and personal sponsor)
- Various UK-based supplement and nutrition brands
- MMA-related apparel and equipment companies
- Media and podcast sponsorships
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Event | Method | Date |
| Luke Rockhold | Win (KO) | UFC 199 | KO (punches) | June 2016 |
| Dan Henderson | Win (Decision) | UFC 204 | Unanimous Decision | Oct 2016 |
| Anderson Silva | Win (Decision) | UFC Fight Night 84 | Unanimous Decision | Feb 2016 |
| Georges St-Pierre | Loss (Sub) | UFC 217 | Submission (RNC) | Nov 2017 |
| Vitor Belfort | Loss (TKO) | UFC on FX: Belfort vs Bisping | TKO (head kick) | Jan 2013 |
| Chael Sonnen | Loss (Decision) | UFC on FOX 2 | Unanimous Decision | Jan 2012 |
| Rashad Evans | Loss (Decision) | UFC 78 | Split Decision | Nov 2007 |
| Chris Leben | Win (Decision) | UFC 89 | Unanimous Decision | Oct 2008 |
| Matt Hamill | Win (Decision) | UFC 75 | Split Decision | Sep 2007 |
FAQs
1. Who is Michael Bisping?
Michael Bisping is a retired English mixed martial artist, sports commentator, analyst, and actor. He competed in the UFC’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, becoming the first British fighter to win a UFC championship and later being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
2. What are the highlights of Michael Bisping’s MMA career?
Bisping won The Ultimate Fighter 3, held the Cage Rage light heavyweight title, and became UFC Middleweight Champion by defeating Luke Rockhold at UFC 199. He successfully defended his title once before retiring with a professional record of 30 wins and 9 losses.
3. How did Michael Bisping lose vision in his right eye?
Bisping lost most of the vision in his right eye after suffering a detached retina from a head kick by Vitor Belfort in 2013. Despite this injury, he continued to compete at the highest level, eventually winning the UFC middleweight title.
4. What is Michael Bisping’s background and early life?
Born in Akrotiri, Cyprus, on a British military base, Bisping grew up in Clitheroe, Lancashire. He began training in martial arts at age eight and competed in various combat sports before turning professional in MMA in 2004.
5. What is Michael Bisping’s family background?
Bisping’s father is of Polish and English descent, and his mother is Irish. He is married to Rebecca Bisping and has three children.
6. What did Michael Bisping do after retiring from MMA?
After retiring, Bisping became a sports commentator and analyst, and pursued an acting career, appearing in films like “XXX: Return of Xander Cage,” “Triple Threat,” and TV series such as “Twin Peaks” and “Warrior.”
7. Did Michael Bisping ever cheat on medical exams to keep fighting?
Bisping admitted to cheating pre-fight medical exams to hide his impaired vision, as he was worried about failing the mandatory tests required to compete due to his blindness in one eye.
8. What is Michael Bisping’s martial arts rank?
Bisping holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Brady Fink.
9. What is Michael Bisping’s fighting style and record?
Known for his striking and cardio, Bisping finished 18 of his 30 wins by knockout, 2 by submission, and 10 by decision. He fought in both middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
10. Has Michael Bisping written any books?
Yes, Bisping released his autobiography “Quitters Never Win: My Life in UFC” in 2019, detailing his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a world champion.