While his future had been speculated about in recent months, former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has announced that his is indeed retired from MMA.
Breaking the news on his podcast “Believe You Me” Bisping indicated that his history of eye injuries played a part in his decision.
While Bisping has had a documented history of problems in his right eye, Bisping revealed that he injured his left eye during his most recent fight against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 122, in November 2017.
According to Bisping, he had recently been in talks with the UFC to face fellow veteran Rashad Evans, however that fight never came to fruition.
Bisping’s UFC career began in June 2006. As a finalist in season three of “The Ultimate Fighter” Bisping defeated Josh Haynes to become the season three light heavyweight winner.
In the ensuing years, Bisping would hold all-time UFC records for wins and total fights. Perhaps Bisping’s crowing achievement came in June 2016, when as a late replacement, Bisping defeated middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.
Bisping’s championship reign lasted 518 days, but Bisping would garner criticism for his opponent selection. Bisping successfully defended his title at UFC 204 in the final fight of Dan Henderson’s career. After UFC 204 Bisping would remain inactive until he would drop the title to a returning Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 in November 2017.
Bisping remains a regular studio analyst for FS1’s UFC coverage
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