CLITHEROE UFC ace Michael Bisping admitted that a gruesome toe injury meant ‘every step was painful’ as he battled on to secure victory in his first fight in the UK in five years.

Bisping secured a split decision triumph over Brazilian former world title challenger Thales Leites in front of a vociferous sell-out crowd of 10,451 in Glasgow, despite having the skin on his big toe torn off early in the fight.

The toe was a horrific sight and Bisping appeared in agony at the end of each round.

Boxer David Haye was once derided for blaming a defeat to Wladimir Klitschko on a toe injury but UFC star Bisping was playing down his injury after emerging victorious to maintain his unbeaten record in fights on UK soil, taking his overall record to 27 wins and seven losses.

Leites got the nod 48-47 on one judge’s scorecard but the other two opted for Bisping, 49-46 and 48-47, after the five-round fight.

“The skin on the bottom of my toe came off at the end of the first round or at some point in the second round,” said Bisping, nicknamed ‘The Count’.

“It was an annoying injury, every step that I took was painful, but what are you going to do?

“You’re an Ultimate Fighter, it’s mixed martial arts where people are trying to knock each other out. I’m not going to complain because I’ve got a sore big toe.

“As good looking of a man as I am, I must say my feet are my worst feature. It’s nice to know that, regardless of putting my neck on the line in a world class fight, the photograph that’s doing the rounds is my toe!”

Bisping is now based in California and was fighting in the UK for the first time since 2010, after a detached retina forced him to pull out of a bout in Manchester two years ago. The 36-year-old headlined a Glasgow show that sold out in 25 minutes as he attempted to again stake his claim for a world title shot – something that has so far eluded the middleweight during a decade in the sport.

Bisping was ranked ninth in the world going into the fight, one place ahead of Leites, and appeared pumped up as he strode with real intent from the dressing room to the octagon, to the sound of Blur’s Song 2.

This was the first ever UFC show in Scotland and the crowd were cheering loudly for Bisping, who was looking to secure back to back victories for the first time in four years.

He did not have the fight all his own way, as Leites caught him with a punch in the third round.

But Bisping was announced as the winner by Bruce Buffer, brother of renowned American boxing announcer Michael Buffer.

Bisping was joined by his wife Rebecca and their three children in the octagon for the celebrations.

“They’re why I do it,” Bisping said. “I put my body through this to provide for my family, so them being there at the end was very emotional for me.

“My son was in my corner, I gave him a hug before I went into the octagon and I nearly burst into tears.”