With MMA being such a grueling sport, many veteran fighter’s face a bleak outlook in the latter stages of their career as years of battling in the cage take their toll on their mind, body and chin, leading to a series of losses that eventually will force them to hang up their gloves.
However, some stars have managed to defy both the aging process and their critics and enjoy an ‘Indian summer’ in the twilight years of their careers, and they are the focus of this article.
Michael Bisping
For years Michael Bisping vowed to one day become the middleweight champion, but as time went on it seemed unlikely it was ever going to happen as he alternated between wins and losses, and then convincingly lost a title contention fight against Luke Rockhold.
However, Bisping dusted himself off, and for the first time in four years he started to go on a winning streak, earning decision wins over C.B. Dollaway and Thales Leites.
Then came a major fight against Anderson Silva, and in a back and forth battle he’d emerge victorious.
With real momentum behind him now, Bisping’s dream finally came true – a chance to fight for the middleweight title in a rematch with Rockhold.
There was a catch – he’d have only a little over two weeks to prepare – but Bisping seized the opportunity and against the odds would go on to knockout Rockhold in the first round to become the middleweight champion.
Bisping then went on to avenge an infamous loss against Dan Henderson before his title reign came to an end after a blockbuster fight with returning superstar Georges St-Pierre.
