MICHAEL Bisping has retained his undefeated streak in Ultimate Fighting Championship’s middleweight division with a unanimous decision victory over Chris Leben.

But despite the win on Saturday night the Clitheroe fighter shrugged off questions about a title shot.

“If I had a pound for every time someone asked me about a title fight I wouldn’t need to get in the Octagon again,” he said.

“I am happy the way it is going and I have to take it one step at a time.

“It is too soon to be talking about title fights. I am still improving and getting better and better.

“I have to earn a title shot. I don’t think I’ve done that yet. I don’t want to be given it.

“I want to beat the best guys and when I get the opportunity I will take it with both hands.”

Bisping’s third victory in the division – which takes his mixed martial arts record to 18-1 – was in front of 9,514 fans at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena.

Millions more watched the UFC89 event around the world on live TV.

Before the fight Bisping, 29, had admitted that ‘The Crippler’ would be his toughest opponent in the 185lb division.

Renowned for his iron chin and knockout power the 28-year-old American had earlier warned the Brit to keep his hands up.

But it was Bisping’s hands that found their mark time and time again bloodying Leben’s face early in their fight.

While Leben connected with some strong knees, leg kicks and a number of punches he often swung wildly trying to land his famous left bomb.

But Bisping’s fast footwork kept him away from the devastating blow and he countered the attacks with his own combinations and more accurate jabs, which scored points from the judges.

After the three five-minute rounds he said: “Chris Leben is a slugger and the whole game plan was not to get trapped into a brawl and fight my fight.

“I wanted to circle left and counter the big bombs and I think it worked well.

“The plan was to outbox him and get a unanimous decision, as I did.

“I was pretty comfortable throughout the fight.

"He caught me with some great shots and it was a tough fight. I knew I had the fight if I didn’t make a stupid mistake.”

Leben, gracious in defeat, congratulated Bisping and told the fans it had been his favourite fight to date, adding that it was “a lot of fun”.

Asked about his opponent’s future he said: “He beat me and I thought I was going to the top!

“He has to take one step at a time. If he does the right things he has all the tools to get everything he wants and have the title.”