Michael Bisping Says He's '99% Retired' from MMA Fighting
Former UFC champion Michael Bisping told TMZ Sports he is staying retired from fighting and won't join the recent wave of MMA comebacks in 2026. He said he's '99% retired' despite believing he could still compete at a high level.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has ruled out a comeback, telling TMZ Sports he's staying retired despite MMA's current comeback trend.
Bisping said he's '99% retired' and won't be joining other fighters making returns in 2026. He acknowledged he could 'still whoop a ton of ass' but plans to stay out of the octagon.
The British fighter's comments come as several retired MMA stars have announced comebacks or hinted at returns. This has led to what many call MMA's 'comeback era,' with veteran fighters returning for lucrative fights.
Bisping won the UFC middleweight title in 2016 and retired after losing his title. He has since built a successful career as a commentator and analyst for UFC broadcasts.
The former champion's reference to not 'pulling a Ronda Rousey' appears to relate to comeback speculation, though Rousey has remained retired from MMA since 2016 after consecutive knockout losses.
Bisping's decision goes against a growing trend of retired fighters returning to the octagon for big paydays. His choice shows that not all former champions are tempted by comeback money, even as MMA experiences a resurgence of veteran fighters.
Watch for more retired fighters to announce comeback plans as MMA's veteran return trend continues.
Was this article helpful?
0 people found this helpful