Michael Bisping Lands Starring Role in Boxing Film ‘The Journeyman’

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will play a lead role in the boxing-themed film “The Journeyman,” according to Deadline.

The film is an adaption of British author Mark Turley’s book entitled “The Journeymen: The Other Side of the Boxing Business, a New Perspective on the Noble Art.” Turley’s book spotlights “boxers who lose for a living” and features East London’s Johnny Greaves, who went 4-96 in his professional career. Greaves will serve as a technical advisor for the film.

Bisping will play Kenny “The Beast” Breen, “an alcoholic, drug-abusing, past-his-prime journeyman boxer with a record of 11-85-0 who, after being diagnosed with neurological damage, continues his career on the small-hall circuit at grave risk to himself.” The film will be directed by Dax Phelan and shot in the UK. A release date for the movie is currently unknown.

“For obvious reasons, Mike brings an authenticity and an X-factor to the role that no other actor ever could,” Phelan told Deadline. “His contributions to the script have been insightful and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to explore this character with him.”

Bisping is no stranger to film and television, with appearances in movies such “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” and “Den of Thieves” and series such as “Magnum P.I.” and “MacGyver,” to name a few.

Bisping retired from MMA in 2018 following a successful career that saw him compile a 30-9 mark and capture the UFC middleweight crown with an upset victory over Luke Rockhold in 2016. He is currently a fixture in the UFC broadcast booth for various events.