Michael Bisping Officially Retires From MMA

It's a sad day in the MMA bubble following the retirement of Michael Bisping.

'The Count' has officially called it a day after a glittering professional career which saw him raise UFC gold in 2016.

He dethroned reigning champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in stunning fashion to become the first British fighter to win a belt inside the famed Octagon.

Bisping's decision to retire largely stems from a long-term eye injury, and revealed his intentions on his own podcast Believe You Me Podcast.

"So obviously I've teased this for a long time now, I might fight again, I might not. And unfortunately it's not a fight that I'm announcing. I am going to announce my official retirement from mixed martial arts.

"I realized there's no flash going on; it's just my eye, and every time I look left, it flashes. And it still does it now when it's dark.

"It's light now so I can't see it. So I started freaking out, thinking oh my God, I don't believe this, I've got a detached retina in my good eye. I have problems with my bad eye, it doesn't look good, so obviously I was kind of freaking out.

"Great career. That's that. Thank you everybody."

The 39-year-old was set for a farewell fight but has opted out. The likes of Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort, among others, had called him out for one last hurrah.

However, Bisping has walked away from the spotlight, having lost his last two fights to Georges St-Pierre and Kelvin Gastelum.

Though his memories will forever be etched into MMA history.

From winning The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 3, claiming a UFC title to beating Anderson Silva on U.K soil and headlining the Manchester Arena.

Without question, a UFC Hall of Fame spot beckons.

Thank you, Michael.

Legend. Pioneer. And a top bloke. End of an era.