'Goon', 'classless' and 'pioneer' - UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping winds people like Luke Rockhol

Michael Bisping achieved a lot in MMA but it's fair to say he's not everyone's cup of tea.

'The Count', who is a former UFC middleweight champion, turned pro in 2004 before retiring in 2017, finishing his career with a defeat to Kevin Gastelum in November of that year.

He led the way regarding Brits getting into the sport having been the first British fighter to fight at a UFC main event (UFC 78).

Bisping also became the first Brit to step into and win a season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' and was also the first to be crowned a UFC champion when he dethroned Luke Rockhold in 2016.

Lots have been said about him - good and bad.

Dan Hardy

On Bisping's impact on Brits in MMA, former UFC title contender Dan Hardy said: "He kicked open doors no British fighter had managed to knock on before, that's his legacy."

Hardy also massively respects Bisping's work-ethic and just how clinical he was in the octagon, saying: "For every one punch that you throw at him, you can guarantee he'll throw three or four back in your direction."

Dana White

Commenting on Bisping's defeat to Dan Henderson in July 2009, White said: "It's one of the things I respect the most about him, to get beaten that dominantly but to then pick yourself back up and start fighting your way to the top again. That's Bisping's mentality.

"Bisping is who he is and who he is fits right into what we do."

But for all his great fighting, Bisping will also be known for having an acid tongue, and then some!

UFC president White even said: "I love Bisping, we have a great relationship but Bisping's a d***! Mike's a d*** and he doesn't have a problem with being a d***.

"He let's you know what he thinks of you whether you like it or not and I think it's fun."

Not everyone has seen it that way and Bisping has ruffled a few feathers in his time.

talkSPORT.com has also gathered the most shocking quotes about Bisping from fellow fighters.

CM Punk

In March 2019, it was announced that Bisping was going to be inducted into the modern wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

Bisping had been openly critical of Punk making the switchover to UFC from professional wrestling and it was unclear if Punk was joking when he posted his 'congratulations' to 'The Count'.

He tweeted: "I’m late to the party as always, but feel like saying congrats to @bisping for the hall of fame nod. All done! Couldn’t happen to a nicer c***!"

Following Punk’s first loss, in 2016, Bisping did change his tune with Punk a little bit, though, and said he respected him so it could be interpreted as a tongue in cheek remark.

Luke Rockhold

Bisping won the first title of his UFC career when he upset the odds with a victory over Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 but the latter was not happy with the way the Brit conducted himself during the fight.

Rockhold said: "After our first fight I picked him up off the canvas and gave him his due respect.

"Bisping went out of his way to come across the cage not to shake my hand like a man but to further mock the situation. I felt it was a classless move on his part.

“You show your true colours after a fight. That f****** guy comes up to me like, 'Do you know where you are!?' Like, I picked you up off the canvas and gave you respect [after the first fight]."

Justin Gaethje

The American felt Bisping was disrespecting him ahead of his UFC debut bout against Michael Johnson in July 2017.

Gaethje emerged victorious and didn't have any grudge towards his opponent, who had engaged in some trash-talking before the fight, but instead channelled his anger against the Brit.

"Bisping, he said that he wanted Michael Johnson to go out there and represent all UFC fighters," Gaethje remarked.

"That’s only because they’re cut from the same cloth. Not many fighters want Michael Johnson and the way he was speaking to represent them. You want me representing you, because I put it on the line.

"I’m not here to crap on anybody, except Michael Bisping. He didn’t even know how to say my name. I bet he knows now."

Tim Kennedy

Perhaps the most controversial victory in Bisping's career came against Jorge Rivera in 2011, with him kneeing his foe in the head as well as spitting at him during the fight.

Many in the sport spoke out against Bisping afterwards but Kennedy, who would fight Bisping in 2014, really went for it when condemning him.

He said: “My blood just turned cold when I watched him knee Jorge in the head and then I watched him walk over to the corner and spit on them. I'm a martial artist, I'm a professional athlete, I'm a soldier and everything about that fight was disrespectful to everything I stand for.

“He is everything I'm against. He cheats. And when I say cheats, I hate all cheaters. I hate guys that use steroids, I hate guys that grease, I hate guys that throw illegal punches, or say they got kicked in the groin so they can get a break, guys that throw illegal knees to the head. I hate them across the board equally.

“But the worst situation is when the cheater wins and now it's like every single fighter out there is like, 'Oh, I can knee a guy in the head and get a slap on the wrist and then I can go back in there and win the fight.' That's idiotic, it's offensive and I personally take it as a big stain on the whole entire sport.”

Crikey...

Vitor Belfort

In January 2013, Bisping suffered retinal damage to his right eye when he was well beaten by southpaw Vitor Belfort.

The UFC wanted a rematch between the pair but Bisping had no interest in fighting 'The Phenom' again, which didn't sit to well with Belfort.

He tweeted: “UFC just informed me that you have declined the fight. I understand you are scared. The images above pretty much explain it all… So stop pretending that you are tough and just admit that you are afraid.

"And I thought you were man enough to step up in the octagon with me again, my mistake... unfortunately looks like we will not be delivering to the fans the fight they want to see...

"Happy retirement, you must be feeling amazing leaving the sport thru the back door... To be a legend is not to everyone!"

Jason Miller

Another fighter who has tried to give Bisping the coward label is Miller.

Ahead of their fight in December 2011, Miller said: "As a fighter, he's like a goon. He's not the brightest fighter, not the most smart in the cage.

"But he's an excellent athlete. You definitely can see that he works hard, because in all his fights, he doesn't gas. He goes hard and goes hard. I can understand that, because I put in the effort in the gym and it shows in the cage.

"He always speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Like he always says [don't bring up] family, and then he brings up my family. I mean, come on. I don't even care; I love my sister. I think it's just more [dirty] behaviour from the king of the [dirtbags].

"I think most of the time, Michael does not understand what he's saying. He just talks and talks, then counters himself on a point. Like I said, both sides of the mouth.

"He's got to tell himself that I'm scared to make himself feel better about the fight. He knows that I never quit. He knows I never stop. He knows I've got a rock head and he's got pillow fists. So it's going to be hell for him to fight me. He knows it and he's worried."

Bisping had the last laugh though as he won the bout.

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