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Michael Bisping's Legacy Is Set As He Realises His Dreams Of A UFC Title Fight

Michael Bisping's Legacy Is Set As He Realises His Dreams Of A UFC Title Fight

It's been a long, rocky journey but Bisping finally gets his shot at UFC gold.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Michael Bisping has finally received a middleweight title shot that has eluded for him so long, the British middleweight will step in and face UFC champion Luke Rockhold in the main event at UFC 199 in Los Angeles, California. After a neck injury forced Chris Weidman out of his rematch with Rockhold, to the surprise of many, Bisping didn't immediately get the call. He seemed the logical replacement following his victory over the GOAT Anderson Silva, dubbed as his unofficial title shot.

After Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza had declined the fight due to an injured meniscus, Dana White then turned to Bisping, who, as expected, gladly accepted the title bout despite the two-week's notice. Even with the feud him and Rockhold enjoy, Bisping was snubbed in favour of the Brazilian. The UFC president's tweet which publicised the pecking order for the replacement was a disservice to the company man.

Though quintessentially Bisping shrugged it off who quite frankly couldn't care less.

You can count on "The Count."

Newly-minted champion Rockhold won the title by defeating Weidman back in December at UFC 194. The final Strikeforce middleweight champion now held titles in both organisations. The pair will once again renew hostilities following their first meeting in 2014, where Rockhold submitted Bisping in the second round.

The nature of their first (official) meeting it's no surprise Bisping is an underdog, but the bookies have spared no respect with the extremely wide odds which has spurred him on revealing "it's mentally refreshing when no one thinks you have the chance", creating the ultimate platform to perform on. The 37-year-old enters the rubber match; I say rubber match as he includes the infamous spar where the Englishman proclaimed himself as the "the unofficial Strikeforce champion." The Ultimate Fighter Winner committed the No.1 sin in the fight business; what happens in the gym stays in the gym. Which to no surprise riled up the American, after dismissing it as light hearted humour thus the rivalry with Rockhold was born.

Another opponent. Another high profile feud. His brashness has made him a target for fighters thanks to his perceived heel persona. Sure, some of his actions inside the cage have been inexcusable but ultimately emotions run high, and as White likes to spread the mantra that fighting is in our DNA, one cannot deny Bisping truly is a fighting man. Fans tune in, whether it's wanting him to win or lose. But one way or another fans have invested emotional in him.

While he can celebrate getting the long awaited title shot, the circumstances aren't ideal, yet the fight game is all about taking your opportunities and this is one he couldn't turn down. The fight taking place in Los Angeles bares huge significance as the Brit now resides in Orange county with his Australian wife and three children, the short trip to Inglewood will hold no burden when it comes to weight cutting and jetting off for fight week.

The perennial contender's career has span over a decade with the premier MMA organisation, and will compete in his maiden UFC title bout, where he has suffered ups and downs but fought through adversity as well as loopholes. Bisping had been on the cusp of a UFC title shot on three different occasions eventually faltering at the last proverbially hurdle. The dreaded three letter word which plagued the sport; TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) prevented him realising his dreams earlier. Those opponents being Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort. All three fighters admitted to the use of TRT, where the substance was later banned as a result of its complicated benefits. Long story short, his clean and honest actions were undone by those who weren't, hmm, so much.

Bisping is a pioneer for the sport of MMA and plays a substantial role in the development of both the sport and organisation's growth within the U.K and Europe. His early success gave him the platform he needed to stand out among the busy UFC roster, where his charisma and personality was a linchpin in his overall marketability. The Zuffa promotion were reluctant to venture anywhere outside the states, though when he burst onto the scene with his brash attitude and ability to perform inside the cage, the fame octagon was set up for its debut show in England putting together an event in his home city of Manchester, where he has heavily featured winning his fight in dominating style in front of a raucous home crowd. Selling out local markets in U.K/Europe was originated by Bisping, before the new wave of fighters like Ireland's Conor McGregor and Sweden's Alexander Gustafsson who have since followed in his footsteps by taking the UFC to their native countries.

In effect, Bisping laid out the blueprint.

His ability to transcend the sport landed him a role in the latest installment of the xXx movie franchise, further underlining his star power and the commercial success he has turned into. Bisping is in the twilight of his professional MMA career as Hollywood could eventually become his next destination.

The fight game is often muddled with a bunch of mundane fighters who all speak from the same hymn sheet, whereas Bisping's unshakeable confidence has allowed him to separate himself from the pack becoming a bona fide star. His ability to sell a fight with absolutely anyone in the modern day savvy business is crucial for a fight promotion to the point where his verbal jousting with opponents have become customary.

In typically unpredictable MMA fashion, Bisping gets a shot at UFC gold despite his previous campaigns. As is the nature of this sport, the unexpected opportunity allows him to finally realise his dream which is a timely reminder that you create your own luck.

#BackBisping

Words By @NasJabbar

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Topics: UFC