Michael Bisping
Active 2006–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 88.0
Scouting report
Knocking out Luke Rockhold on two weeks' notice to capture the UFC Middleweight Championship capped a career for Michael "The Count" Bisping, the first British champion in UFC history. Born on a British military base in Cyprus, Bisping broke contenders with cardio and boxing volume, his gas tank and boxing represented by a 94 Cardio rating and 88 Boxing.
Peak ratings
By edition
Bisping contended at the top of the middleweight division between 2011 and 2013, defeating Jorge Rivera and Jason Miller via TKO, outpointing Brian Stann, and defeating Alan Belcher in Newark while dropping competitive bouts to Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort. His kickboxing output, cardio pace, and takedown defense are reflected in a 92 Cardio and 86 Fight IQ.
In 2014 and 2015, Bisping stopped Cung Le with knees and punches in Macau and defeated CB Dollaway in Montreal, while losing a five-round decision to Tim Kennedy in Quebec City and a guillotine submission to Luke Rockhold in Sydney. His boxing jab, volume combinations, and conditioning anchor his 86 Boxing and 92 Cardio ratings.
Bisping achieved the peak of his career in 2016, defeating Anderson Silva in London before stepping up on 17 days' notice at UFC 199 to knock out Luke Rockhold in the first round to capture the UFC Middleweight Championship, followed by a title defense over Dan Henderson in Manchester. His championship heart, durability, and pace are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 94 Cardio.
Michael Bisping, the Englishman who kept coming forward
Michael Bisping came from the north of England, won The Ultimate Fighter season three, and spent over a decade in the top promotion before he won the middleweight title by knocking out Luke Rockhold in 2016. He took that fight on short notice. Draft him if you value a fighter who fights all the way through.
What Bisping's ratings say
Boxing. Busy and accurate. He throws a lot of punches, mixing left hooks and jabs.
Kickboxing. Solid. Kicks show up throughout his game to keep opponents honest.
Wrestling. Fine. He defends well and can bring the fight where he wants.
BJJ. The lowest number on his card. He is not a submission threat.
Strength. Below the biggest middleweights. He is not the strongest man at 185 and leans on pace instead.
Durability. Good. He took heavy damage in a number of fights and kept going.
Cardio. The best on his card. His pace was famously high and rarely dropped.
Fight IQ. Very good. He was often the smarter fighter and adapted between rounds.
Cardio that outlasts the plan
Bisping wins many exchanges by staying busy for longer than his opponent. Volume, pressure and a willingness to keep moving wear down opponents. That makes him a strong pick for a long fight.
Little threat off his back: BJJ
His submission game is the lowest number on his card. Bisping did most of his work on his feet, so a top grappler who takes him down and holds him there is the matchup to worry about. Pair him with a teammate who covers the mat.
Keep exploring
Closest middleweight profiles to Michael Bisping, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Sean Stricklandbest cardio 95 · weakest bjj 78
- Nassourdine Imavovbest boxing 89 · weakest bjj 78
- Gegard Mousasibest boxing 89 · weakest wrestling 80
- Kelvin Gastelumbest boxing 89 · weakest bjj 78
- Middleweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits Michael Bisping's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft Michael Bisping into your build
Michael Bisping enters the pool on any spin landing on middleweight between 2010 and 2017. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Michael Bisping is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Michael Bisping's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.