MILLIONS of mixed martial arts fans are eagerly anticipating Dan Henderson’s main event fight against Rich Franklin at UFC 93 tomorrow.

And none more so than Clitheroe fighter Michael Bisping, who will face the winner this summer.

It has been widely reported that ‘The Count’ wants to fight former Pride champion Henderson but he insists he has no preference.

“Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson are both legends”, he said. “It will be an honour and privilege to fight either.

“They are the cream of the crop so, to be honest, I’m not hoping for either to win in particular.

“If I really had to choose it would be Henderson because Franklin is a southpaw - he’s left handed - so that makes it a bit awkward.

“But that is the only thing in it as they are both among the best in the world.”

Bisping’s fight against the winner from tomorrow’s event at the 02 Arena, Dublin, will come at the end of Series 9 of The Ultimate Fighter - the first series to pitch nation against nation.

The Brit was named as a coach for the UK team last year and the victor between Henderson and Franklin will front the US contenders.

The dad of two is thrilled about the opportunity as it was his win in series 3 of the programme which earned him his UFC contract in 2006.

He said: “It’s nice because I have come full circle. I don’t want to sound arrogant but it is a validation of my success.

“I remember when I was in there as a contestant and I saw all the big pictures on the walls of the coaches and UFC legends.

“On the first day I said ‘I want my picture on there’. At the time I never thought it would happen but after three years it will be there.”

The middleweight, who will fly to Las Vegas at the end of next week to begin filming, is looking forward to passing on the experience he has gained from the octagon.

But he also has a warning for the wannabe ultimate fighters: “If people are just coming in for the TV time they might as well not bother.

“They will train for a fight as I do which is basically a lot of hard work.

“It will be six weeks of torture. But it will be the best training of their life.

“I am very excited.”

The Ultimate Fighter series 9 will be screened over 12 weeks from April 1.

For more information on Bisping visit www.bisping.tv