Britain’s first UFC champion Michael Bisping visits Old Trafford on homecoming tour
Brit knocked out Luke Rockhold to win UFC middleweight title, and now he's returned home to show his fans the belt
MICHAEL Bisping is back home after his stunning UFC title win at UFC 199.
The 37-year-old now lives with his family in Orange County, California, but is billed as fighting out of Manchester, England.
And the proud Brit fulfilled a lifelong ambition at UFC 199 when he stepped in at just 17 days’ notice and knocked out champion Luke Rockhold to become the undisputed UFC middleweight champion of the world.
The win also meant that Bisping made history as Britain’s first ever UFC world champion.
The Clitheroe man has returned to the UK as part of a victory tour, with his first stop in Manchester, where he met hundreds of adoring fans during a specially-arranged fan event in the city.
And the Brit also had the opportunity to visit Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, for a special photoshoot with the club and interview with Andy Goldstein for the upcoming Celebrity Reds series on MUTV.
Bisping’s record-setting night in Los Angeles even saw him claim a lot more than the middleweight title.
‘The Count’ extended his record of most significant strikes landed in UFC middleweight history, and also tied the great Canadian Georges St-Pierre for the most wins in UFC history with 19.
And to top it all off, the Brit also pocketed a cool $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his knockout victory, which he claimed was “the easiest win of my career”.
Speaking at Old Trafford, Bisping reiterated his desire to make his first title defence in Manchester.
“I want to defend this belt in Manchester,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to the UFC. I’ve made that very, very clear.”
