Bisping on a mission for gold

4:47pm Sunday 8th June 2008

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By Donna McKenzie »

AFTER a second dominant victory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's middleweight division, Michael Bisping has set his sights on being the first UK fighter to secure UFC title gold.

And he has even offered his services to film director Guy Ritchie - as a gangster!

The Clitheroe dad of two had promised the 15,327 strong crowd at London's 02 Arena on Saturday an exciting fight and didn't disappoint as he ground and pound his way to a first round win over Jason Dooms' Day.

The fight, in front of the sold-out arena and millions of fans watching around the world on pay per view, was stopped after just three minutes and 42 seconds as The Count' brought down blow after blow on the Canadian.

And as the ecstatic Brit celebrated inside the Octagon he turned his attention to Guy Ritchie in the audience, saying: "Guy Ritchie - if you are looking for a guy from the North West to star in your next gangster movie then I'm your man!"

Bisping, 29, has already made an impressive mark on the middleweight division and says his ultimate goal is to take the reigning champion Anderson Silva's title from him.

"The way I fought (on Saturday) is the way I used to fight in England, destroying guys," said Bisping after the fight.

"I don't think I am anywhere near the finished product but I think I can go through the majority of the middleweight division.

"And if I want to take on Anderson Silva I have to get on my game.

"I have a long hard road ahead but I am willing to make the sacrifices. I will do it.

"I am on a mission. I would like to be the first UK guy to hold a UFC belt."

Bisping joined UFC as a light heavyweight after winning its Ultimate Fighter reality TV show in 2006 - securing a $1m contract.

He dropped from 205lb to 185lb after a controversial loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 78.

And many believe this to be his natural fighting weight, where he will be most dangerous.

Now - with two middleweight victories taking his mixed martial arts record to 17 wins and one loss - Bisping is looking better than ever.

He says he is happy with the improvements he is making thanks to intensive training in boxing, wrestling, kick and thai boxing, but that he always wants to take his skills to the next level'.

UFC president Dana White is also impressed with the rising star's development and his ability to promote the sport in the UK.

"He looks better every time he is out," he said. And it would be great to bring a Bisping title fight to a football stadium in England."

But for now Bisping is set to take a well-earned break.

"I need to take some time off," he said. "I have been training constantly since Christmas. My body is crying out for a rest."

Having fought twice in eight weeks, he expects his next fight to be in October.