The former light-heavyweight made his mixed martial arts middle weight debut (185 pounds) and won by technical knockout at the end of the first five-minute round.

McCarthy talked a good game, but his strategy of covering up when "The Count" attacked proved a miserable failure.

Bisping (16-1, 5-1 UFC) dominated the stand-up over the first two minutes, and then got slammed by McCarthy who worked an armbar and came close to success before Bisping escaped with just over a minute of the round left.

And from there on in McCarthy backed up against the cage, covered up and let Bisping get off 23 unanswered knees and punches, the last sending him to the canvas where Bisping rained in another 14 punches.

The round ended, but McCarthy couldn't get off the ground.

To the joy of the crowd Bisping said: "This is my natural weight. I'm excited to see what I can do. I've established myself tonight. I want to fight the best guys out there."

British viewers can catch Bisping and the rest of the mma action from UFC 83 on satellite television channel Bravo at 9 p.m. tonight (Sunday). The main event was rivals Matt Serra against Georges St-Pierre.