A 70-FOOT billboard of an East Lancashire sportsman is adorning Times Square, New York.

And the rising star of ultimate fighter Michael Bisping has been further underlined after an action figure of him was unveiled.

The figure, complete with cauliflower ear, will go on sale around the world next year.

Two years ago Bisping was virtually unknown.

But since winning reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter – and a $1million UFC contract – he has become a superstar across the globe.

The Times Square poster is promoting his top-of-the-bill Ultimate Fighting Championship bout with Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben this weekend.

The fight, at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, is being broadcast live on Setanta in this country. In addition, millions of people around the world will be tuning in.

Bisping, who lives in Clitheroe and went to St Augustine’s RC High School in Billington, said: “The way my life has gone since winning The Ultimate Fighter two years ago has been unbelievable and this is proof of just how big the UFC is getting.

“If you had told me two years ago that there would be an action figure of me I would have laughed my head off. I would probably still be laughing now.

“I always had high aspirations and wanted to get to the top but it has excelled that now.

“There is even a 70ft high billboard in Times Square of me now. And that is pretty cool.”

On the figure the dad of two said: “I can see a resemblance.

“I haven’t got the chest hair anymore but it’s got a decent physique and they’ve definitely got the cauliflower ear right.

“I just hope my future opponents don’t use it as a voodoo doll and stick pins in it!”

The action figure – along with replicas of other stars such as UFC legend Chuck ‘The Iceman’ Liddell – will go on sale for Christmas 2009.

And Bisping, 29, who says the only figures he had as a youngster were of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, said “It's crazy to think there is going to be a toy of myself next to Batman and Barbie figures and kids are going to be unwrapping them next Christmas.”

Although the figures, made by Jakks Pacific, are aimed mainly at collectors Bisping is sure they will be popular with kids too.

He said: “My boy is seven now and when he gets hold of the actual toy, I think he’ll be really excited about it.

“Obviously the collectors will buy them and the hardcore UFC fans but I think a lot of kids will too.

“In the States there are a lot more kids into the sport than there are here and I get a lot of emails from kids in the USA.”