Bisping 'lost identity' after losing vision in one eye

A cup of coffee is spills on the floor as Michael Bisping walks into the room for an interview.

It would be an innocuous incident for most people. There is a life-changing reason behind the spillage, and it's a career-changing reason.

The story of how the 43-year-old lost his vision in his right eye but still went on to become the first British UFC champion in history is told in a new documentary.

The emotional turmoil he experienced as a fighter, the steep barriers he overcame to reach the top, and how it felt to watch a film about his career are some of the topics that he talks about here.

'The eye injury took my identity away'

When he agreed to fight Belfort, he knew it would be his first UFC world title fight.

He didn't know that the last time he stepped inside the octagon with vision in both eyes would be the bout.

In the second round, Belfort landed a head kick that caused a detached retina on the right side of the opponent.

He initially dealt with the injury privately, fearing medical professionals would prevent him from fighting, and three months later beat Alan Belcher by a technical unanimous decision.

By that time, his symptoms had worsened to the point that he could no longer put off seeing a doctor.

His fight career appeared to be over after six surgeries.

Michael Bisping
Michael Bisping was 36 years old when he became the first, and to date only, British UFC champion

The mental side was by far the hardest part.

I moved to America. Things were going well in California, but we weren't financially secure and it all got taken away.

I went through depression and drinking too much because I couldn't do anything. My identity had been taken away.

Despite the loss of vision, decline in his mental health and insistence by doctors his career was over, Bisping never considered retiring.

He says he felt great, but he couldn't fight. Someone else is saying that they are not allowing you to fight because of your eye.

I was forced to not do anything that would get my heart rate up or that would allow the eye to heal, and that was very challenging.

Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort
Bisping's defeat by Vitor Belfort in 2013 had life-changing consequences

'I'd be punching fresh air'

The doctors believed that he would end up fighting again. And again. And again.

Three years after going blind in his right eye, Michael Bisping won the UFC title.

What was it like competing with one eye, and how did he get cleared to fight?

He tells how he tricked and fooled his way through a number of tests before getting the all-clear.

Only his team members were aware of the full extent of his problem.

The main adjustments he had to make were to do with depth perception, which he still struggles with today.

"I would go to grab things, miss on a couple of occasions, then get it the third time", says Bisping.

It was the same with punching, I would be hitting fresh air, but then you connect and your brain kind of measures the distance.

It was tough, challenging and definitely an adjustment period, but I got there in the end.

'Downplaying things was my defence mechanism'

Michael Bisping and his wife Rebecca
Bisping was joined by his wife Rebecca on stage when he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2019

In the documentary, he shows an emotional side in contrast to the outspoken character he portrayed in his fight career.

Whether it's talking about his eye injury, the problems he suffered growing up in Clitheroe, or the difficulties in coming to terms with defeat, Bisping isn't afraid to pour out his feelings.

He talks about meeting his wife, Rebecca.

He says that she loved him and that she never helped him.

I never wanted to be someone. I did not care. Who cared if I didn't go to school? Who cared if I was arrested?

When Rebecca came along, I wanted more out of life and I wanted to be a success.

During his career, he struggled with discussing his emotions in the way he did during the documentary.

He says that after a loss, he tried to play things down.

Trying to get hold of my emotions is one thing that would have helped me. If I could do that, my life would be a lot simpler because I would be able to control my emotions and be honest with myself.

'Everyone said the nicest things, but I'm just an idiot from Clitheroe'

Michael Bisping
Bisping has built a career in the media following his retirement from fighting

After a scare with his left eye, and a defeat by Gastelum, he retired.

He has since built a career in the media, providing analysis for the UFC and taking part in a number of podcasts.

He doesn't know who he used to be.

The fighter side of me. He says that it is definitely suppressed, but that he wouldn't say it is dead.

I sit cageside and watch the fights and think that these guys are out of their minds. It is crazy.

MMA stars Georges-St Pierre and Rashad Evans both credit the inspiration they got from the documentary's star, Michael "The Count" Bisping.

He says that they are legends themselves and that for them to say what they said was incredibly humbling.

It is hard to find the right words forRashad Evans crying because he was so proud of what I did.

Everyone on the film said nice things, but I am just an idiot from Clitheroe, do you know what I mean?

It really is. It's mind-blowing.

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