Dewey's Diva
04-21-2006, 07:29 PM
http://www.lancashireeveningtelegraph.co.uk/news/newsheadlines/display.var.739098.0.caged_tiger.php
Caged tiger!
A CLITHEROE cage fighter could be a finalist in the quest to find TV's toughest housemate but he's boxing clever by not talking about it.
Dad-of-two Michael Bisping, 27, is featuring in a 12-week American reality show which follows the fortunes of 16 of the world's best up-and-coming mixed martial arts experts as they fight it out in a bid to be crowned Ultimate Fighter.
As an added twist, the former Blackburn College student shared a Big Brother-style house with the other competitors, which producers hoped would lead to tensions exploding and the housemates coming to blows.
Ultimate Fighter 3's preliminary rounds were filmed between January and the beginning of April and are being aired on satellite TV channel Bravo, at 10pm on Fridays.
But Michael is now under contract to Bravo not to reveal whether he's made it into the final four or into the live final due to be held in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 24.
Proud mum Kathleen Bisping, of Salthill View, Clitheroe, said she was obliged to stay tight lipped about her son's progress.
She said: "I can't say whether he has to go back for the final or not. Michael is under contract not to say anything and I don't want to get him into trouble.
"I'm really proud of him doing this though. He had to go through some tough auditions in London before he was picked to go to America.
"I don't personally like any kind of fighting but Michael has been so dedicated and is always out training. I don't like watching it generally, but when I saw Michael's first show I thought he was brilliant. I'm very proud of him."
The contestants have faced a gruelling regime of jiu-jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, karate, boxing and wrestling in training and have shared a Las Vegas house in the knowledge that they'll have to square up to a housemate in the ring.
Cage fighting competitors don't wear any gloves, fight in a metal cage and use skills from several martial arts.
Michael, who this year defended his British light heavyweight cage fighting title, is competing for one of two contracts to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championships, plus prize money of $1million.
The former upholsterer and part time DJ, who lives in Nelson Street, Clitheroe, is known as The Count because his ancestors originated in Poland and were wealthy enough to be considered part of the aristocracy.
The name also relates to his habit of knocking opponents out quickly.
Michael said: "I can't say how I've done over there, but I've had a great time.
"We were put up in a lovely mansion with all the best facilities.
"I will be back in Las Vegas on the final day, but not necessarily for the final.
"All the competitors are fighting on the day so I will be there regardless."
7:00pm today
By Adrian Worsley
Caged tiger!
A CLITHEROE cage fighter could be a finalist in the quest to find TV's toughest housemate but he's boxing clever by not talking about it.
Dad-of-two Michael Bisping, 27, is featuring in a 12-week American reality show which follows the fortunes of 16 of the world's best up-and-coming mixed martial arts experts as they fight it out in a bid to be crowned Ultimate Fighter.
As an added twist, the former Blackburn College student shared a Big Brother-style house with the other competitors, which producers hoped would lead to tensions exploding and the housemates coming to blows.
Ultimate Fighter 3's preliminary rounds were filmed between January and the beginning of April and are being aired on satellite TV channel Bravo, at 10pm on Fridays.
But Michael is now under contract to Bravo not to reveal whether he's made it into the final four or into the live final due to be held in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 24.
Proud mum Kathleen Bisping, of Salthill View, Clitheroe, said she was obliged to stay tight lipped about her son's progress.
She said: "I can't say whether he has to go back for the final or not. Michael is under contract not to say anything and I don't want to get him into trouble.
"I'm really proud of him doing this though. He had to go through some tough auditions in London before he was picked to go to America.
"I don't personally like any kind of fighting but Michael has been so dedicated and is always out training. I don't like watching it generally, but when I saw Michael's first show I thought he was brilliant. I'm very proud of him."
The contestants have faced a gruelling regime of jiu-jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, karate, boxing and wrestling in training and have shared a Las Vegas house in the knowledge that they'll have to square up to a housemate in the ring.
Cage fighting competitors don't wear any gloves, fight in a metal cage and use skills from several martial arts.
Michael, who this year defended his British light heavyweight cage fighting title, is competing for one of two contracts to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championships, plus prize money of $1million.
The former upholsterer and part time DJ, who lives in Nelson Street, Clitheroe, is known as The Count because his ancestors originated in Poland and were wealthy enough to be considered part of the aristocracy.
The name also relates to his habit of knocking opponents out quickly.
Michael said: "I can't say how I've done over there, but I've had a great time.
"We were put up in a lovely mansion with all the best facilities.
"I will be back in Las Vegas on the final day, but not necessarily for the final.
"All the competitors are fighting on the day so I will be there regardless."
7:00pm today
By Adrian Worsley