Middleweight champion Michael Bisping in Dubai to open first UFC Gym in the Middle East

Michael Bisping was in Dubai on Friday with his belt for the grand opening of the UFC Gym in Business Bay.

Michael Bisping's 20 victories is a UFC record. Brandon Magnus / Getty Images
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Still wearing the scars of his bruising UFC Middleweight title-defence against Dan Henderson earlier this month, Michael Bisping was in Dubai on Friday with his belt for the grand opening of the UFC Gym in Business Bay.

The 23,000 square feet gym, the first flagship UFC Gym facility in the Middle East, has the UFC’s world-famous 24-foot Octagon as its centrepiece, and promises to provide “everything needed for the entire family to sweat, move, live and Train Different”.

Making his visit to Dubai, Bisping looked impressed with both the city and the Gym.

“It’s my first time here,” he said. “I arrived here late last night. As you can see it’s a beautiful city and I am very excited to be here. I am really forward to exploring the city and I will be back for sure. It’s a beautiful gym here as well and I am proud to be involved.”

Talking about his last fight against Henderson, where a bloodied Bisping emerged the winner by unanimous decision, the Briton said he enjoyed such gruesome battles more than easy knockouts.

“Of course, it is good to go out there and win easy, just knock a guy out,” he said. “But I kind of like tough fights, I like to show my heart, I like to fight through adversity, show my heart, my courage and I hope to be remembered for those wins.”

Bisping, 37, has a number of such wins on his CV and his 20 victories in the UFC is a world record. He has finally got the world championship belt as well, but he is not ready to call time on his career just yet.

“In any sport, you compete in a sport and you want to be a champion,” he said. “Of course, I am a world champion and so I have achieved that goal. I got 20 victories in the UFC, that’s a world record.

“So I have achieved most of my goals, but I am still young and I think I will have a few more fights and then retire. I am still very passionate about fighting in the UFC. Of course, I have got the belt, I have defended it — a few more defences and then we will see.”

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