Michael Bisping returns to the UK for Tales From the Octagon 2 – despite the first edition providing some of the most nerve-racking moments of his life.
The UK MMA trailblazer, who was the first Brit to win a UFC world championship before moving into punditry and being inducted into the hall of fame, is this time bringing along two modern-day greats for the ride.
An opening date in London on December 14 is followed by a Manchester date two days later on December 16, which will take place the same night that Leon Edwards looks to defend his welterweight strap against Colby Covington at UFC 296.
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As well as his delight at briefly returning to the UK from his Californian home where he lives with his wife and kids, this time Bisping is glad to have the company.
He told Daily Star Sport: "I had a guy when I was younger come to my house with a can of petrol and a lump hammer trying to kill me.
"I had a guy put a gun to my head in South Africa and try and kill me, I've been in a cage with Anderson Silva – but that was by far the scariest thing I've ever done."
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Bisping discussed his life before MMA including spells as a postman and slaughterhouse assistant, as well as his Octagon career, which peaked with short-notice middleweight glory in 2016 against Luke Rockhold.
He added: "I mean, I've lived a very varied and colourful life so there's lots of things to talk about, unfortunately for my wife she always says I can nip to the local Spar and come back with a story.
"You know, I'm not the smartest guy in the world, so I'm always getting myself into some kind of trouble. And then the world of mixed martial arts, there's plenty of meat on that bone to discuss.
"There will be talk about other people and I've got, of course Paul and Tom will be joining me on stage as well and I've got a few surprises in store for them.
"And Manchester when we do that is the night of UFC 296, so it's the perfect night if you're an MMA fan."
The dates will come after Aspinall has fought Sergei Pavlovich for a short-notice shot at the UFC heavyweight interim title at UFC 295, with Bisping providing some all-important advice.
He said: "If anyone can do it, it's Tom Aspinall and the similarities between the two situations are kind of freaky, to be honest. I mean, it was two and a half weeks for Tom and two and a half weeks for me.
"So as soon as I found out a few days ago, I sent him a little message, wishing him all the best and saying, look, listen, it's not about the two weeks.
"It's about the entire lifetime of work and preparation that he's put into this. So I've got no doubt in my mind, Tom's gonna go out there and win the interim heavyweight championship – then unify that title when he gets his hands on Jon Jones."
Tickets for Tales from the Octagon 2 with Michael Bisping, Tom Aspinall and Paul Craig are on sale now via MyTicket.
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