DEFIANT Michael Bisping said he proved he was the 'Ultimate Fighter' after beating rival Matt Hamill to chalk up his 15th mixed martial arts victory.

But the win - in front of 20,000 fans at London's 02 Arena and millions watching the pay-per-view around the world - was not without controversy as many felt the American should have won the Ultimate Fighting Championship grudge' match.

Before Saturday's fight, Bisping, 28, of Clitheroe, had vowed: "I will submit him or knock him out", but the fight lasted the maximum three five-minute rounds and the Brit only had his hand raised in victory following a split decision by the three judges.

Many pundits expected the judges to pick The Hammer' Hamill and even Bisping appeared momentarily surprised when he got the decision.

Now, the ex-St Augustine's RC High School pupil hopes the win - which continues his MMA undefeated streak - will put the pair's bitter feud to bed once and for all'.

The bad blood began when light-heavyweight Bisping, known as The Count', and Hamill were contestants on reality TV show Ultimate Fighter 3, which Bisping won last year, along with a $1million UFC contract.

Hamill was also given a contract but insisted that, had injuries not forced him to drop out of the tournament, he would have been crowned the Ultimate Fighter'.

After Saturday's fight 6ft 2in 205lb Bisping said: "Who's the real winner of The Ultimate Fighter now? The same as it always was."

Prior to the fight Bisping claimed that Hamill - known as a world-class wrestler - was one-dimensional'.

And in an attempt to out-class Hamill in his strongest discipline, Bisping joined light-heavyweight champion Quinton Rampage' Jackson in Big Bear, California, for a month to improve his grappling skills.

The move paid off for Bisping as he was able to avoid or battle out of a number of takedowns.

But Hamill, 6ft 1in and 205lb, had upped his game too with improved stand up skills and rocked the fans' favourite in the first round with a good right hand, opening up a cut above Bisping's eye.

Hamill continued to push the Englishman throughout the bout inside the six-foot high steel cage as they traded blows in front of an increasingly tense crowd.

Bisping struggled to find a way through Hamill's defence and only truly came to life at the end of the third round when he attempted a big knee strike.

However many thought it looked too little too late and, for the first time in Bisping's MMA career, he had to wait for the judges' decision.

Bisping said: "I know he's a tough fighter so was expecting it to go the distance - it is all good experience for me - but I held out for the win. And obviously I am happy.

"Now though, I want to put The Ultimate Fighter show behind me. I proved that title is mine and it is time to put this thing to bed once and for all."

So, with 15 wins in all including four in UFC, who does he have his sights set on next?

"The rest of the UFC. Whoever they want me to fight!"