London - English professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Michael "The Count" Bisping  has joined Trackstar. Michael currently fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (www.UFC.com) and holding a record of 15 - 1 is one of the most respected light heavyweight fighters in the world.

In 2006 Michael rose to fame when he featured on the UFC's "The Ultimate Fighter 3" reality television series as a contestant training under Tito Ortiz. He won a preliminary bout against Kristian Rothaermel by TKO, which he followed with a semi-final win against the aforementioned Ross Pointon, by submission after landing a flying knee followed by a series of strikes. In the finals, Bisping defeated Josh Haynes by way of TKO at 4:14 into the second round, making Bisping the second light heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter television series.

Steve Hawthorne from Trackstar said "It's great to have Michael involved, he adds a totally different dimension to the club. He's a true sportsman and really down to earth guy. He trains VERY hard and likes to party, he's the perfect Trackstar member.... we will certainly cheer him on ringside".

Bisping was born on a British military base in Cyprus in 1979, but moved to Clitheroe, Lancashire, England when he was a child. At 8 years old he took an early interest in martial arts and began training in the traditional form of jujutsu known as Yawara Ryu. At 15 he competed as an amateur in England's first "no holds barred" competition, and by 19 Michael began training kickboxing and karate on the advice of Alan Clarking, owner of Black Knights gym who saw huge potential in the up and coming fighter.

Bisping enjoyed a short, but successful, kickboxing career, winning the North West Area title, and later the Pro British light heavyweight kickboxing title. After a  brief "time out" in 1998, Bisping returned to kickboxing to take the Pro British light heavyweight title for a second time.

From 2000 to present day Michael has crafted his skills to become one of the most successful Mixed Martial Arts fighters on the UFC circuit.

Official link: www.bisping.tv