“I think without Dana, its (UFC) soul is gone… Without him, it’s just three letters,” said former UFC star Ronda Rousey, who praised UFC CEO Dana White last week. Since day one, White has poured everything into building the multi-billion-dollar promotion from the ground up. Along the way, he not only grew the company but also built strong relationships with his fighters and veterans. Despite occasional ups and downs, he consistently treated everyone supporting the promotion well.

As UFC CEO, he has gone beyond the Octagon to assist fighters dealing with retirement or injuries, providing financial support when needed. While critics have labeled him a “capitalist,” many UFC veterans, including Ben Askren and Stevie Ray, recognize Dana White’s generosity and good heart. Now the list also includes the name of UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping.

Michael Bisping will be on the commentary desk for four more years

It has been eight years since Michael Bisping retired after a remarkable 39-fight career filled with highs and lows. Impressively, he fought most of his career with only one eye without anyone knowing, yet he is best remembered as the first British UFC champion. After stepping away from competition, ‘The Count’ moved into commentary, starting with UFC Fight Night, and over time has become part of the international UFC Pay-Per-View commentary team.

Recently, during a conversation with Mike Bohn on YouTube, Michael Bisping acknowledged these feelings but has embraced his current reality and now focuses on new challenges within the UFC, having signed a new four-year deal with the company. “So, um, very, very pleased about that. So thank you to, uh, all the UFC staff and Dana and everyone there for, you know, extending that. Very, very grateful, certainly, as we go into this new era with Paramount TV. Uh, yeah.”

As the UFC transitions to a new era with Paramount in 2026, moving from traditional pay-per-view to an OTT platform, Michael Bisping is excited to work within this evolving model. Still, during his recent commentary stints, he faced some criticism. While his fight analysis remains top-notch, he occasionally mispronounces fighters’ names, such as at UFC Rio, when he mistakenly called heavyweight Thomas Petersen “Steven Peterson.“

Despite retirement and his commentary success, Michael Bisping continues to see himself as “very competitive.” Beyond the Octagon, he has explored Hollywood and acting, including a role in Vin Diesel’s XXX: Return of Xander Cage. Throughout all these ventures, he remains deeply appreciative of the UFC and mixed martial arts for shaping his life: “First and foremost, I commentate the UFC. The UFC and mixed martial arts are what have given me my life… and that’s my bread and butter.”

Michael Bisping opens up about upcoming movie project ‘Atlas King’

Even before stepping into UFC commentary in 2019, Michael Bisping had already explored Hollywood, starting his acting career back in 2010. Since then, ‘The Count’ has appeared in over a dozen films and nine television shows, including xXx: Return of Xander Cage and Den of Thieves. His upcoming project, however, represents a significant milestone. In the film Atlas King, ‘The Count’ takes on the lead role, marking a major leap forward in his acting career.

Recently, in a conversation with Mike Bohn, Michael Bisping shared insights about his work on Atlas King. When asked for updates on the film, which is now in the “post-production stage,” Bisping noted that it also features Cuba Gooding Jr. and George Finn.

Regarding the release and promotion, he said, “Yeah, very, very soon. I actually went to a screening last week with a lot of international buyers for the film. Obviously, myself and a group called Punch It Films put the project together. It was written and directed by Nika Agiashvili. And then myself, and three other partners, we started a production company. We created Atlas King. I saw it for the first time last week in full, like the finished version.”

Alongside the Briton, #15-ranked featherweight contender Giga Chikadze co-produces the film. Bisping also stars with award-winning actresses Lil Anne and Sarah Wayne Callies in his upcoming projects. While Atlas King promotes itself as a “gritty thriller,” Michael Bisping’s first look in the film has already sparked buzz across social media.