Quitters Never Win: My Life in UFC

by Michael Bisping, Anthony Evans

Overview

The Ultimate Fighting Champion Hall of Famer tells his story in this no-holds-barred memoir—featuring a bonus chapter in this updated American edition.

In Quitters Never Win, Michael Bisping—Britain’s own Rocky Balboa—tells his life story from childhood as a British Army brat to a legendary mixed martial arts career and induction into the UFC Hall of Fame. The ultimate UFC underdog, Bisping fought his way to Number One contender three times, only to be knocked back each time. But he refused to give in, clawing his way to his first World Title shot at the age of thirty-seven—and becoming the first ever British UFC world champion.

Bisping offers fresh insights about his fighting career, never-before-told stories about his film and TV career, and a harrowing account of his fighting off attempted kidnappers while filming in South Africa. Loaded with the humor and brutal honesty that first won him a following on the television show Ultimate Fighter 3, Bisping recounts his record setting thirteen-year fight career battling the likes of Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and Dan Henderson.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635767070
Publisher:	Diversion Books
Publication date:	11/17/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	369
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Michael Bisping is a UFC Hall of Famer, former UFC middleweight champion of the world, an actor, television presenter and podcaster. During his 13-year career as a professional mixed martial artist, his attacking style and quick-witted personality made him one of the UFC’s biggest stars. He headlined 14 UFC events across the world and battled a who’s who of his era. In June 2016, aged 37, Bisping achieved his childhood dream by becoming the UFC Champion. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame upon his retirement and now serves as an influential color commentator and ESPN analyst. Away from the Octagon Bisping is an actor, television presenter and the co-host of the popular Believe You Me podcast. British by birth, he now lives in California with his wife and three children.Anthony Evans has been part of the combat sports world all his life. After working as a reporter and media relations expert in boxing, he spent 12 years with the UFC, serving as PR department head and chief of content for UFC Fight Pass. Considered one of MMA’s foremost historians, Anthony also created the modern UFC Hall of Fame. A Sunday Times bestselling author, he has also written for television, radio and over 30 newspapers, magazines and media outlets worldwide. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife and son.

Table of Contents

1 Hammered 1

2 Last Call 19

3 The Count 47

4 Best in Britain 61

5 The Ultimate Fighter 77

6 Tuf Times 89

7 Visa Problems … and Some Other Things 101

8 Homecoming 121

9 Main Event 131

10 One Eight Five 143

11 I'm Going To Be a Contender 157

12 Ain't Going Nowhere 175

13 Any Time, Any Place 199

14 Eye of a Needle 223

15 Silva Bullet 247

16 Acting Tough 271

17 (One) Eye on the Prize 283

18 Conceived, Believed, Achieved 297

19 Five O'Clock in the Morning 313

20 The Final Countdown 337

21 Anything's Possible 361

22 Michael Bisping 371

Michael Bisping Career Statistics 389

Acknowledgments 393

About the Authors 397

Editorial Reviews

"Quitters Never Win is one of the very best MMA books ever written. I covered Bisping’s career for over a decade and thought I knew his story as one of the all-time greats. But I learned so much about him and his struggles from reading this book. As a fighter, Bisping was tenacious, exciting and always entertaining. The same can be said of his autobiography, which is the perfect behind the scenes look at one of MMA’s true legends.”

––Ariel Helwani, mixed martial arts reporter for ESPN



"Michael Bisping is one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, but he's also one of the most entertaining and interesting figures to ever set foot in the Octagon. Bisping spent a decade entrenched in the most grueling sport on the planet before finally achieving his dream of becoming a UFC champion – he is the absolute embodiment of the claim that 'quitters never win.' This biography gives an unprecedented look at one of the most incredible – and most entertaining – careers the UFC has ever seen."

––John Morgan, lead staff reporter for MMA Junkie, host of The MMA Road Show



“To call Michael Bisping’s UFC career anything other than astonishing is to sell it well short. This book touches every corner of Bisping’s life, and connects it all – the triumphs, the setbacks, the resolve, and the improbable heights at the end – through the crossroads of the cage. If there’s only one thing that can match the heart he showed in his career, it’s his ability to recount it in his own voice. Quitters Never Win underlines why there will never be another Michael Bisping.”

––Chuck Mindenhall, senior writer for The Athletic



“Michael Bisping had one of the all-time great careers in the UFC. You read his autobiography and have to keep reminding yourself the book isn’t a made-up story. Bisping really did these things. All this really did happen.”

––Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer newsletter



“Quitters Never Win is heart-pounding exciting, laugh out loud funny and, at times, simply heartbreaking. As he notes with horrific detail in the book, Bisping has sight problems, but he nevertheless takes a long, unflinching look back on the good, the bad and the ugly of his astonishing Hall of Fame career.”

––Gareth A Davies, boxing correspondent for The Telegraph



“Michael Bisping embraced playing the villain but it is impossible to cast him as the bad guy after reading this autobiography. Bisping tells genuine – and often hilarious – stories from his past as well as the arduous journey he travelled to finally become UFC champion. Bisping was never anything other than authentic during his fight career, and this deep-dive into his life is no different.”

––Damon Martin, reporter for MMAFighting.com



“A thrilling tale of the pride of Britain’s long and winding journey through adversity to the pinnacle of the UFC. Heart wrenching, moving and inspirational; Quitters Never Win is a must-read to truly understand the makings of ‘The Count.’”

––Chisanga Malata, sports reporter for The Daily Star and The Express

From the Publisher