It’s been eight years since former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping exited the octagon for the final time as a competing athlete. However, he expects to walk in and out of the cage many more times in the coming years.
Since retiring following a knockout loss to Kelvin Gastelum in November 2017, Bisping has seamlessly transitioned into post-retirement life. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019 for his accomplishments. He’s remained a mainstay with the company, calling more than 100 events as a color commentator and also a consistent role as a desk analyst. He co-hosts the successful “Believe You Me” podcast with Paul Felder and also does analyst work for TNT Sports, the UFC’s broadcast partner in the U.K.
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For some fighters, life after retirement can be tedious and unfulfilling. Bisping, 46, admits the longing for competition hasn’t faded entirely, but compared to many others who walk a similar path, it’s been ideal in every way.
“Eight years since I retired – it’s crazy,” Bisping told MMA Junkie. “That has flown by. It literally feels like yesterday. Eight years, it’s mind blowing to me. It’s been a good eight years. It’s been a great eight years. I was having the time of my life. I was literally living the dream. For anyone that wants to choose that life and really pursue it and if you’re good at it, it can be such an enriching life. When I was fighting, I had the time of my life. I live a good life now, but I said to my wife, ‘Take me back to those days, please.’
“I miss it. Of course, I do. When I get in the gym and on the bag and my little sparring or whatever, I’m like, ‘I can still do this, I could still come back, I’m still in shape.’ But I’ve been there and done that. I’ve had that phase of my life, and now I’m on to new challenges. I love commentating the UFC. I’m truly blessed to be part of that.”
Bisping has ingrained himself as part of the UFC broadcast experience. He’s called fights with almost every possible combination of talent, from UFC Apex shows with Laura Sanko and Brendan Fitzgerald to massive pay-per-view events featuring championship fights alongside Joe Rogan and Jon Anik.
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For Bisping, the path of broadcasting has diverse challenges similar to being a fighter. There are no do-overs when the show goes live and an endless ceiling for improvement and growth.
Bisping has evolved significantly since his first time putting on a headset and calling the action, and with expectations to only get better, he will have the runway to make improvements.
According to Bisping, he is in the process of signing a new multiyear extension with the UFC to stay in his role. There was admittedly some uncertainty with the UFC switching broadcast partners from ESPN to Paramount/CBS at the start of 2026, but Bisping’s spot will be secure, and he’s nothing short of grateful.
“Just finalizing a new four-year deal,” Bisping said. “I’m very, very pleased about that, so thank you to all the UFC staff and Dana (White) and everyone there for extending that. Very grateful, especially as we go into this new era with Paramount TV. I’m very, very lucky. It’s not signed and sealed just yet, but it will be very soon. Finalizing the agreement. I’m extremely grateful. I said that to Dana myself. For me personally and being involved in this company and this sport, which has given me so much, there might be some people out there who say, ‘You’re a company man. What are you talking about?’ This is the finest MMA promotion on the planet so far.
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“When I commentate, I still get to be around. That’s why when you said, ‘Do you miss this sport?’ I’m still around the sport, so I don’t need to be a fighter anymore. This sport has changed my life and given me so much. If I wasn’t commentating and wasn’t still making a living, of course that’s a big thing for fighters when they don’t have the money coming in, they’ll say, ‘I guess I’m coming out of retirement. I’ll find a fight.’ I don’t have to do that. But I’m still involved, and that is more important than the financial side. This is what I’ve dedicated my life to: studying mixed martial arts and watching fighters. And there will be a phase in my life where I start coaching fighters, as well, but I’m not quite ready for that yet because you’ve got to be selfless as a coach. To still be involved in this sport after so many years, I am blessed. I am a very, very lucky man.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Bisping’s UFC future continues to look bright post-retirement
