Michael Bisping, known as “The Count,” is a celebrated figure in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).
His journey from a small town in England to becoming a UFC Middleweight Champion is nothing short of inspiring.
In this article, you will know Michael Bisping’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Michael Bisping’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Gavin Joseph Bisping |
| Nickname | The Count |
| Date of Birth | February 28, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | Nicosia, Cyprus (British military base) |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Polish, English, Irish) |
| Father | Jan Konrad Bisping |
| Mother | Kathleen (née Armitage) Bisping |
| Spouse | Rebecca Bisping |
| Marriage Year | 2014 (engaged in 2008) |
| Children | 3 (Callum, Ellie, Lucas) |
| Current Residence | Orange County, California, USA |
| Education | St Augustine’s Roman Catholic High School, Billington |
| Notable Ancestry | Polish nobility, related to Bourbons of Two Sicilies |
| Early Martial Arts | Started Jujutsu at age 8 |
| Eye Condition | Strabismus (due to detached retina from fighting) |
| Notable Family Member | Eldest son Callum (accomplished wrestler) |
Michael Bisping was born on February 28, 1979, in Nicosia, Cyprus, on a British military base. Raised in Clitheroe, Lancashire, he began training in Jujutsu at age 8.
Early Career
By the age of 15, Bisping was already competing in Britain’s first “no holds barred” competition, a precursor to modern MMA.
Although he briefly abandoned martial arts at 18, he soon returned to training, focusing on boxing, kickboxing, and karate.
His early career was marked by numerous victories, leading to his participation in The Ultimate Fighter 3, which he won, propelling him into the UFC spotlight.
Professional Career
Bisping’s professional MMA debut came in 2004, and he quickly made a name for himself in the UK fighting scene.
Bisping became the first British fighter to win a UFC championship at UFC 199 by defeating Luke Rockhold.
His acting credits include roles in films such as xXx: Return of Xander Cage and Triple Threat, as well as appearances in TV series like Strike Back and Twin Peaks.
Wife
Michael Bisping has been in a relationship with his wife Rebecca since he was a teenager.
Rebecca is Australian, originally from Adelaide. The couple got engaged in 2008 and married in May 2014.
They have 3 children together – 2 sons named Callum and Lucas, and a daughter named Ellie.
Michael Bisping’s Net Worth Details
Michael Bisping’s net worth is estimated to be $9 million as of 2025.
Contract
In August 2021, Bisping signed a new 4-year contract with the UFC to continue his role as a commentator.
The contract extends his duties as a color commentator for UFC broadcasts. Bisping hosts his podcast called “Believe You Me” with comedian Luis J. Gomez.
Career Earnings
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2024) | $9 million |
| Total Career MMA Earnings | $1,954,500 |
| Highest Single Fight Purse | $540,000 (UFC 217 vs. Georges St-Pierre) |
| UFC Commentary Contract | 4-year deal signed in 2021 |
| Estimated Annual Commentary Earnings | $1.46 million |
| YouTube Earnings (Aug 2024) | $2,750 |
| YouTube Earnings (July 2024) | $2,750 |
| YouTube Earnings (June 2024) | $4,560 |
| YouTube Earnings (May 2024) | $5,810 |
| UFC Pay-Per-View Sales | Reportedly $2 million per month |
Sponsorship
- Michael Bisping has recently signed a sponsorship deal with Lucky Block, a crypto casino platform.
- He will serve as an official ambassador for Lucky Block.
- The partnership aims to bridge the gap between sports and online gaming, focusing on fan engagement and expanding reach.
- Lucky Block views this as an opportunity to tap into Bisping’s large fan base (1.9 million Instagram followers, nearly 1 million on X/Twitter, and over 600,000 YouTube subscribers).
Career Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 39 |
| Wins | 30 |
| Losses | 9 |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 18 (60%) |
| Wins by Submission | 4 (13%) |
| Wins by Decision | 10 (33%) |
| Losses by KO/TKO | 3 |
| Losses by Submission | 2 |
| Losses by Decision | 4 |
| UFC Record | 20-9 |
| UFC Debut | June 24, 2006 |
| Last Fight | November 25, 2017 |
| Championships | UFC Middleweight Champion |
| Title Defenses | 1 |
| Fight Night Bonuses | 7 ($330,000 total) |
| Significant Strikes Landed | 1610 |
| Significant Strikes Attempted | 4223 |
| Significant Strike Accuracy | 38% |
| Takedowns Landed | 26 |
| Takedowns Attempted | 60 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 43% |
| Notable Wins | Anderson Silva, Luke Rockhold, Dan Henderson |
| PPV Main Events | 3 (973,000 total buys) |
FAQs
1. Who is Michael Bisping?
Michael Bisping is a retired British mixed martial artist, sports commentator, actor, and UFC Hall of Famer. He competed in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions of the UFC, becoming the first British UFC champion by winning the middleweight title in 2016. He retired in 2018.
2. What is Michael Bisping’s fighting record?
Michael Bisping had a professional MMA record of 39 fights, with 30 wins and 9 losses. His victories included 18 knockouts, 2 submissions, and 10 decisions. He also won The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 Light Heavyweight Tournament and defended his UFC middleweight title once.
3. What is Michael Bisping’s connection to martial arts?
Bisping began training in martial arts at age eight with Japanese jiu-jitsu. He later trained in boxing, kickboxing, and karate, transitioning to MMA professionally in 2004. Martial arts gave him discipline, confidence, and a sense of identity during his youth.
4. How did Michael Bisping lose vision in one eye?
Bisping became legally blind in his right eye after a detached retina caused by a head kick from Vitor Belfort during their fight in 2013. Despite this injury, he continued competing and eventually won the UFC middleweight title.
5. What are some notable achievements of Michael Bisping’s career?
Bisping was the first British UFC champion, won The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 tournament, earned multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night honors, and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019.
6. What is Michael Bisping’s acting career like?
After retiring from MMA, Bisping pursued acting. He appeared in films such as XXX: Return of Xander Cage and Triple Threat and TV shows like Strike Back and Twin Peaks. He continues to work as an actor alongside his commentary roles.
7. What challenges did Michael Bisping face during his career?
Bisping overcame numerous setbacks, including injuries like his eye damage, controversial losses, and being considered an underdog for much of his career. His perseverance led him to become a champion despite these obstacles.
8. What is Michael Bisping’s podcast about?
Bisping hosts a popular podcast called Believe You Me, where he discusses MMA news, shares insights from his career, and interviews guests from the combat sports world.
9. What is Michael Bisping’s family background?
Bisping was born on a British military base in Cyprus to an English mother and Polish father descended from nobility. He grew up in Lancashire, England, and now resides in California with his wife Rebecca and their three children.
10. Why is Michael Bisping considered a pioneer for UK MMA?
Bisping inspired a generation of British fighters by proving that athletes from the UK could succeed on the global stage in MMA. His championship win demonstrated resilience and paved the way for future UK competitors in the sport.
