Michael Bisping is undoubtedly one of the most popular British UFC fighters of all time. The former middleweight champion had an incredible career and was part of some brutal fights. On top of all that, the Brit fought with one eye, and had to go through a lot to keep it a secret from the fighting commissions.
Michael Bisping lost the vision in his right eye in 2013 after getting head kicked by Vitor Belfort. Instead of retiring, the British fighter decided to continue fighting and made his return the same year. However, things weren’t that easy. In a recent podcast, the Brit shared his experience in keeping the secret about his eyes from the fighting commission.
I would pass the pre-fight test somehow, and then at weigh-ins, the [commission] would want to check my vision. I was always terrified because I didn’t have [my fake eyeball] then, and my eye looked terrible…You could clearly see when you looked at it that it wasn’t healthy.
Michael Bisping via The JAXXON Podcast
In order to get through the examiner, Bisping had created a secret method along with his head coach Jason Parillo. During the pre-fight eye test, Parillo would cough and yawn, which helped Bisping to identify single or two fingers respectively. However, doing all that for every fight had a massive impact on Bisping’s mental health.
I was terrified because I am spending all of this money on this camp, putting all of this effort, going to fly to wherever I needed to be, and the day before the fight I’m going to be pulled from the fight. The stress was so major.
Michael Bisping via The JAXXON Podcast
It’s astounding that Bisping fought 11 times with one eye, including his legendary title win over Luke Rockhold. Equally shocking is that 11 athletic commissions, including those in California, Canada, England, and China among others never noticed his condition. Now, as a UFC Hall of Famer, the ‘Count’ is definitely an inspiration for the new generation.
Top UFC coach talks about Michael Bisping’s legendary career
MMA is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous sports in the world with the risk of life-altering injuries. While two fighters trying to destroy each other inside the octagon, brute injuries are very common. In the past, many fighters have lost their career due to an early injury during fighting.
Michael Bisping as the middleweight champion (via X)However, for Michael Bisping, it was just another obstacle in his professional career. Despite losing vision, the middleweight fighter continued fighting and got his biggest wins with just one eye. Former UFC champion Sean O’Malley‘s coach, Tim Welch, talked about Bisping’s unbelievable grit in a podcast.
He got smashed by Luke Rockhold and he had a full fight camp and the he gets offered the fight in 10 days notice….and knocked him out. After Hendo knocked out Mike, that would end most people’s careers. He became the world champion. He’s a f***** dog.
Tim Welch via The TimboSugar Show
Michael Bisping retired from fighting in 2017 and got several opportunities to act in movies. He has been in several series as well and now has shifted his focus towards becoming a MMA analyst. The fighter is also a color commentator and often fills in for Joe Rogan while interviewing fighters inside the octagon.
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