A perfect showman in the fight business toes the line between entertainment and reality. For the last 14 years, Michael Bisping, a former UFC champion and future Hall of Famer, has been as infallible as the world\u2019s greatest trapezist, and yet, respect will be equally as hard to come by in retirement as it was when he was the top middleweight fighter in the world.<\/p>\n
This is the end for Bisping.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the end of hotels and long-winded world press tours. It\u2019s the end of grueling fight camps and putting his long-term health at risk. Most importantly, it\u2019s the end of bright lights, jam-packed arenas and headlining UFC fight cards.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo obviously I\u2019ve teased this for a long time now. I might fight again, I might not,\u201d said Bisping, when speaking on his \u201cBelieve You Me\u201d<\/a> podcast show. \u201cAnd unfortunately it\u2019s not a fight that I\u2019m announcing. I am going to announce my official retirement from mixed martial arts.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Being a world-class showman comes easy when you\u2019re the most honest person in the room, and few have been as honest as Bisping with a microphone in his hands.<\/p>\n
The 39-year-old fighter was as brash and self-assured as anyone to ever step foot in the octagon. His tongue was sharp enough to pierce the skin of even the coolest and most collected fighters, but none of the trash talk and pre-fight banter ever felt manufactured whenever he spoke.<\/p>\n
One of his most admirable traits is the fact that he has remained true to his personality ever since winning The Ultimate Fighter 3<\/em> and ascending to UFC superstardom. He didn\u2019t win a few fights, catch a little wind in his sails and act out of character to push his name to the top of the fight ticket.<\/p>\n
What you saw was always what you got from Bisping.<\/p>\n
\nPioneer. Warrior. Champion. #ThanksBisping<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ItVthPK1Ai<\/a><\/p>\n
— UFC (@ufc) May 30, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n