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“The Count” has laced up his gloves for the final time.
On Sunday, Michael Bisping announced his official retirement from MMA. The former middleweight champion had been suggesting that he was “probably” done with fighting for months but would not commit to retirement out of a desire for one final farewell fight. Ultimately though, citing an eye injury that has plagued him for years and the will of his family to hang up the gloves, Bisping decided that his knockout loss to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC China would be his last.
Bisping was the season three winner of The Ultimate Fighter and pioneer of MMA in the United Kingdom. He retires with a number of UFC records including Most Bouts in UFC History (29), Most Wins in UFC History (20), and Most Strikes in UFC History (1533). He won the UFC middleweight title by knocking out Luke Rockhold on short notice at UFC 199 and went on to successfully defend the belt at UFC 204 against Dan Henderson.
Check out how the MMA community reacted to the end of Bisping’s Hall of Fame career.
Congrats to the legend @bisping on an outstanding UFC career! No man did more for MMA's growth in the UK and it was only fitting he was England's first undisputed UFC champion. Thankful to have had the chance to watch and call his fights. Next stop: Hall of Fame. #thanksMike https://t.co/QNFtPQ2LKu
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) May 29, 2018
My guy @bisping is getting out of the game. Congrats on a great career my man. You earned it! You made people care one way or the other and you won and won a lot. That’s what matters man. Congrats my man! DC pic.twitter.com/sD1rwNtz20
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 29, 2018
I was legit happy when he won the title, thank you for being you @bisping!
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) May 29, 2018
Enjoy retirement @bisping you had an amazing career and always enjoyed our time sharing the spot light together!! #thecount pic.twitter.com/lCZguoeQo3
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) May 29, 2018
Congrats to @bisping on his retirement ! He has accomplished so much in this sport and is def a future hall of famer! Unfortunately we never had the opportunity to fight in the octagon but it was a pleasure just to trash talk back and forth a few times ! Future is bright. Enjoy!
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) May 29, 2018
Great career @bisping . I always wanted to fight you because you’re a legendary and top contender . To stay with the top organization and be relevant for years takes a lot, much respect and enjoy!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 29, 2018
Congrats @bisping on an incredible career!! Your heart and sheer determination to reach the top has always been inspirational to me, all the best for whatever is next https://t.co/Zmdflry57W
— Joe Duffy (@Duffy_MMA) May 29, 2018
Enjoyed watching your incredible career @bisping! Enjoy this next chapter.
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 29, 2018
Congrats on your amazing journey @bisping was a pleasure to train and help you a bit on this journey. Much respect
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) May 29, 2018
Congrats @bisping on a amazing career ! Enjoy your retirement bud !
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) May 29, 2018
Want to wish the man @bisping congratulations on an outstanding career!! Hope to see more of you on the desk brother.
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) May 29, 2018
@bisping congrats on an awesome and inspiring career. From the bottom to the top and everything in between. Enjoy retirement. Next stop #HoF pic.twitter.com/pN8R0utUD7
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) May 29, 2018
It was a pleasure to grow up watching his career. Seeing the growth, the trash talk, and going in there and getting after it https://t.co/yMncdlNj5W
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) May 29, 2018
What a career Uve had mate. Hard work and a big heart! Enjoy retirement buddy always been a big fan @bisping pic.twitter.com/5Q1wtGklJm
— Steven Ray (@StevenRayMMA) May 29, 2018
MUST-READ STORIES
Hall of Famer. Michael Bisping announces official retirement from MMA.
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$$$. Dana White defends decision to keep CM Punk on UFC 225 main card.
Bet. Eddie Alvarez ‘rolling the dice,’ fighting last fight of UFC contract against Dustin Poirier,
Plan. Cris Cyborg’s plans to fight Holly Holm-Megan Anderson winner, then Amanda Nunes.
VIDEO STEW
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The latest of this series from our friends at MMA Mania.
The Reem.
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Bas on Conor.
Chuck feeling confident.
LISTEN UP
Believe You Me. Michael Bisping announced his retirement and talked about MMA.
Joe Rogan Experience. Cat Zingano joins and talks about mental health and MMA.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Rory wants it.
Newly crowned middleweight champ @mousasi_mma calls out welterweight champ @rory_macdonald to be the first to challenge him for the title. #Bellator200 pic.twitter.com/pgGQ1FIafZ
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 28, 2018
seeing that youre promoting his challenge and calling me a chicken, which i already accepted the fight. @ScottCoker better put this fight together. lets get it signed and done with!
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) May 28, 2018
The ball is in your court now @BellatorMMA
Gaethje calling out Ragin’ Al.
Tito trying to get paid.
.@ChuckLiddell Let’s get this signed! @GoldenBoyBoxing #GoldenBoyMMA https://t.co/Qmg45NMmH7
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) May 29, 2018
Man, Spicely looks rough.
Liverpool was amazing. Thank you @ufc for the opportunity. Thanks to my coaches. Thanks to my teammates and friends. #occupationalhazards pic.twitter.com/Wo44VhrMMY
— éS (@EricSpicely) May 28, 2018
Friends.
I will always remember the first time I met @Arnoldbfa .
— Olivier Aubin (@oliaubin) May 28, 2018
We were both in tristar with our suit on for no reason.
Good time.
Congrats on the bust pic.twitter.com/yc2685lIfN
Was a good day, thanks moustache friend
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) May 28, 2018
— Olivier Aubin (@oliaubin) May 28, 2018
Don’t be this person, MMA fans.
Good Morning yall, this is what my inbox looks like, on a holiday morning. People are so “gangsta” on the internet that they talk crazy then block you from responding. By the way this is him defending Mike Perry saying the N-word. pic.twitter.com/xw5CpVGtQv
— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) May 28, 2018
Belal low key has one of the best MMA Twitters.
The only thing to do in Utica until fight day is hang out at the local Denny’s i don’t care about the long flight to Australia I’ll go fight there every time from now on :/
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) May 28, 2018
But Sage is still the GOAT.
Hey China... get ready I’m on my way pic.twitter.com/rY2YoKPPX0
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) May 28, 2018
Joey B on his Slim Shady ish.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2010: Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson settled their beef at UFC 114 with Evans taking a unanimous decision win.
2016: Cody Garbrandt knocked out Thomas Almeida at UFC Fight Night 88.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Have a good Tuesday and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Is Michael Bisping the best fighter The Ultimate Fighter has ever produced?
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