CLITHEROE UFC star Michael Bisping knows he must capitalise on his victory over Thales Leites and secure a world title shot, admitting: “It’s now or never.”

Bisping made his mixed martial arts debut 11 years ago but a fight for a world title has always been just out of reach following six losses in his last 16 fights.

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At the age of 36 he knows that time is running out to achieve his dream of becoming world champion, but Bisping defeated Brazilian former world title challenger Leites in Glasgow on Saturday night to boost his hopes of climbing back into contention.

Bisping was ranked ninth in the middleweight division ahead of that fight and believes one more victory at the end of the year should be enough to earn him a crack at the world title.

He said: “The top 10 is full of killers. It’s a very tough time to get that belt but it’s now or never, I’m not getting any younger.

“If I can get another top 10 win later in the year then I think I’ve earned my title shot.

“I’ve been around here for ever, fighting the best in the world for so long. It’s about time I got my title shot.

“I’ve just got to keep winning fights. I’ve dedicated so much of my life to this sport and I know I can compete with these guys and I’ve shown that.

“That’s why I’m still ranked in the top 10 after 10 years in the organisation.

“I’ll speak to the guys at the UFC and hopefully have another fight soon.

“If I win that hopefully I get what I feel I deserve.”

Bisping had been close to a world title shot two years ago, only to lose to Vitor Belfort in Sao Paulo.

A year later Belfort failed a drugs test and Bisping now wants a rematch.

“If you look at Belfort when I fought him, he looked like a cross between a powerlifting champion and the Incredible Hulk,” Bisping said.

“Against Chris Weidman he looked like an out-of-shape middle-aged man, like a dad who went to the gym once a week.

“I would love to smash his face in, shut him up once and for all and get revenge. I have no respect for him whatsoever. I’m not sure I’m getting my message across about how I feel about him!”

Bisping’s victory over Leites in Glasgow was his first appearance on UK soil in five years.

The next UFC bill is planned for London next year, although it has not yet been decided if Bisping will fight on that card.

The East Lancashire ace, though, is interested in fighting on a bill in Dublin in October as UFC continues to grow on this side of the Atlantic.

“I’d love to fight in Dublin,” said Bisping, who is the UK’s biggest UFC star.

“UFC here is stronger than ever. The state of UK MMA right now is fantastic.

“Support for UFC is just getting bigger and bigger.

“I’m very proud to be part of it.”