JUST 2,000 tickets remain for an Ultimate Fighting Championship event headlined by Clitheroe mixed martial artist Michael Bisping.

Six thousand tickets sold within a week of them going on sale – at which point, only Bisping’s fight against Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben had been announced – and the UFC UK president says Lancashire should be very proud of the local hero.

The rapid sales, for the October 18 event, prove both the sport’s and the Brit’s growing popularity among UK fans.

Now, only 2,000 of the total 10,500 seats available are still up for grabs.

UFC 89, at Birmingham’s NIA, will be Bisping’s second time headlining a UFC card. He also headlined UFC 78 against Rashad Evans, last November, which was the only loss of his mixed martial arts career.

And the dad of two hopes to take his record to 18-1 when he next steps inside the Octagon.

Marshall Zelaznik, UFC UK Division President, said: “Michael has as passionate a worldwide following as any British sportsman you could think of.

“Lancashire really should be very proud of not only what Mike is accomplishing inside the Octagon, but the way he represents himself outside of competition.

“Tickets for UFC 89 went on sale on July 6 and we didn’t announce another bout until nine days later.

And yet 6,000 fans snapped up tickets because they wanted to be there when Michael faced off with Chris Leben.

“The fans recognise Michael really has it within him to go on and potentially do great things in this middleweight division, and they will be out in force in October to support him against the most dangerous puncher he’s ever faced in Leben.

Tickets are still available at ticketfactory.co.uk