CLITHEROE UFC ace Michael Bisping will fight in the United Kingdom for the first time in five years when he takes on Thales Leites in Glasgow on July 18.

Bisping is now based in the United States, where UFC is hugely popular, and has fought in five different countries since his last bout in the UK – a victory over Yoshihiro Akiyama in London in 2010.

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The 36-year-old was due to fight Mark Munoz at the Manchester Arena in October 2013 but the bout was cancelled after the East Lancashire ace suffered a detached retina that led to a lengthy lay-off.

Bisping has since fought twice in Australia, three times in the US, three times in Canada and once in Brazil and China.

His last contest was a narrow victory over CB Dollaway in Montreal in April, to take his record to 26 wins and seven defeats from his 33 bouts.

The middleweight will now take on Brazilian fighter Leites, who has won 25 and lost four of his 29 contests.

The fight will take place at the Hydro in Glasgow, headlining what will be the first ever UFC event in Scotland.

Bisping was keen for a bout in the UK and made contact with UFC supremo Dana White to ask if he could fight on the planned Glasgow bill.

Bisping said: “I’ve been talking to the UFC for a long time about fighting back in the UK.

“Then when I heard about the card in Glasgow I was straight on to Dana trying to get on that card.

“It’s been five years since I fought in the UK and it is by far my favourite place to fight.

“Some could say this fight is striker versus grappler. Thales will look to take me to the floor, there’s no doubt.

“That being said, he’s a jiu jitsu specialist not a wrestler, and with my take down defence I think he’ll struggle to get me to the floor.

“Even if he does get me down, I’m confident with my ability on the floor.

“I’m certainly more skilled and experienced on my feet as well.

“I want the UK audience to show the UFC why we need to keep bringing events back to the UK.”