Yet Bisping's adroitness as a fight-seller and his standing as a personality within the UFC, and indeed, as an analyst on FOX Sports in the USA, has kept his rhythm close to the top as one of the most highly-paid UFC athletes.

Hubris has followed Bisping. But his ability and desire to bounce back knows no bounds, from eye injuries to knockouts. And now we are here. Bisping versus Silva. The Spider versus The Count in London town.

"For a long time I've wanted to fight Anderson. Of course when he was a champion. In many ways, it's bittersweet," Bisping explained to me. "He's no longer the champion. The only losses he's had have come against Chris Weidman and there was some circumstances to those fights. I'm very excited to go out there and prove to the world that I always knew I could beat Anderson."