Michael Bisping hits back at Justin Gaethje for UFC 286 "biased" commentary criticism

Michael Bisping's UFC 286 commentary has drawn criticism as the UFC Hall of Famer was accused of being biased by Justin Gaethje. Following the event, the No.3-ranked lightweight called out the former middleweight champion for his commentary during the main event bout between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards.

Speaking at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference, 'The Highlight' stated:

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"Yeah, I mean, I thought [Kamaru Usman] won the fight, but, I’m probably as biased as the judges, certainly not as biased as Michael Bisping, who shouldn’t have been nowhere near a microphone during that fight. It sucks... I just thought it was very unprofessional."

Check out Justin Gaethje's comments below:

MMA Junkie

@MMAJunkie

Justin Gaethje criticizes @Bisping's "very unprofessional" commentary in the #UFC286 main event between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

"He shouldn't have been nowhere near a microphone during that fight."

#UFC286 | Full video: bit.ly/3LuYGUl

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Justin Gaethje criticizes @Bisping's "very unprofessional" commentary in the #UFC286 main event between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

"He shouldn't have been nowhere near a microphone during that fight."

#UFC286 | Full video: bit.ly/3LuYGUl https://t.co/7M9vRyQlgo

Michael Bisping took to Twitter to deny Justin Gaethje's claims while asserting that he wasn't biased:

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"I always only call it as I see it. And you have to celebrate the winner, regardless of who it is. Can’t be sad someone didn’t win. Winner in all cases must be celebrated. And I have huge admiration and respect for Usman as a fighter and person. A true gentleman."

Check out Michael Bisping's tweet below:

michael

@bisping

Thanks Doug. I always only call it as I see it. And you have to celebrate the winner, regardless of who it is. Can’t be sad someone didn’t win. Winner in all cases must be celebrated. And I have huge admiration and respect for Usman as a fighter and person. A true gentleman. twitter.com/d_dg28/status/…

Doug Bear

@d_dg28

@Jon_Anik @bisping I listened to the commentary during the fight and Gaethje has no basis for his opinion! From before the fight, during the fight he was very non-bias. After you could see he was jubilant and happy as he should be for a fellow Brit! This win was legendary and huge. Bisping was good

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@Jon_Anik @bisping I listened to the commentary during the fight and Gaethje has no basis for his opinion! From before the fight, during the fight he was very non-bias. After you could see he was jubilant and happy as he should be for a fellow Brit! This win was legendary and huge. Bisping was good

Thanks Doug. I always only call it as I see it. And you have to celebrate the winner, regardless of who it is. Can’t be sad someone didn’t win. Winner in all cases must be celebrated. And I have huge admiration and respect for Usman as a fighter and person. A true gentleman. twitter.com/d_dg28/status/…

Gaethje is teammates with Kamaru Usman so it is no surprise to see him show support for the former welterweight champion. Meanwhile, Bisping and Leon Edwards are the only two UFC champions from the United Kingdom, and hence, his support for 'Rocky' shouldn't come as a surprise.

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Michael Bisping's UFC 286 commentary: What did Jon Anik have to say about bias claims?

Jon Anik was a part of the UFC 286 commentary crew alongside Michael Bisping. The longtime UFC commentator took to Twitter to defend the UFC Hall of Famer against claims of being biased by posting on Twitter:

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"1) Must say in defense of my broadcast partner @bisping, the man has zero agenda nor any bias when calling fights. Might even have closer personal relationship w/ Kamaru Usman than he does Leon Edwards. He just felt as though Edwards controlled the stand-up, landed more cleanly."

"2) The job of MMA commentator is not as hard as that of fighter, judge, or referee, but it's hard. We are judged on every utterance over 8+ hours and certainly there are things we'd love to take back. Someone is usually upset w/ something. Never had a perfect show. Never will."

Check out Jon Anik's tweets on bias claims against Michael Bisping below:

Jon Anik

@Jon_Anik

1) Must say in defense of my broadcast partner @bisping, the man has zero agenda nor any bias when calling fights. Might even have closer personal relationship w/ Kamaru Usman than he does Leon Edwards. He just felt as though Edwards controlled the stand-up, landed more cleanly.

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1) Must say in defense of my broadcast partner @bisping, the man has zero agenda nor any bias when calling fights. Might even have closer personal relationship w/ Kamaru Usman than he does Leon Edwards. He just felt as though Edwards controlled the stand-up, landed more cleanly.

Jon Anik

@Jon_Anik

2) The job of MMA commentator is not as hard as that of fighter, judge, or referee, but it's hard. We are judged on every utterance over 8+ hours and certainly there are things we'd love to take back. Someone is usually upset w/ something. Never had a perfect show. Never will.

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2) The job of MMA commentator is not as hard as that of fighter, judge, or referee, but it's hard. We are judged on every utterance over 8+ hours and certainly there are things we'd love to take back. Someone is usually upset w/ something. Never had a perfect show. Never will.

As Anik noted, there are always complaints with the commentary crew, however, the broadcasters don't affect the outcome of the bout. Bisping is unlikely to be on the crew for UFC 287 as the card will take place in Miami, Florida, meaning that Joe Rogan, who only works pay-per-view events in the United States, will likely be present alongside Anik and Daniel Cormier.

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