Top lightweight contender Justin Gaethje heavily criticized Michael Bisping for his biased commentary of the main event of UFC 286. The main event was a closely fought affair between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards, with Bisping making a case for why Edwards was winning the fight. While the judges agreed on giving the Englishman, the majority decision win, Justin Gaethje thought Bisping presented the fans with a rather biased commentary of the fight.

Justin said the following in the media scrum “But I’m probably as biased as the judges. Certainly not as biased as Michael Bisping. He shouldn’t have been nowhere near a microphone during that fight.” Many UFC fans who had analyzed the fight differently from the Brit and had Usman winning instead echoed this sentiment.

Despite Gaethje’s accusations, another member of the broadcast team offered his support to Bisping.

Bisping’s broadcast partner comes to his aid

Jon Anik was quick to rush to the aid of ‘The Count’ midst the controversy. He provided a counter to the notion that Bisping was biased towards Edwards given that they are compatriots. He tweeted, “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.”

With Joe Rogan unable to serve commentary for this fight, Bisping’s credibility as a replacement was questioned. This statement served as a fair rebuttal to Gaethje’s previously scathing remarks. While to some Bisping may have been leaning towards ‘Rocky’, Anik believes it was within reason.

Read More: “He Shouldn’t Have Been Nowhere Near a Microphone”: Justin Gaethje Lashes Out at “Very Unprofessional” Michael Bisping for UFC 286 Commentary

Bisping was quick to respond positively to Anik’s words of support.

The Count shows his appreciation

This exchange wasn’t lost on the UFC icon as Bisping responded to Anik’s tweet with the following “Thank you @Jon_Anik appreciate you greatly.” It is clear that there is mutual adoration between the two broadcasters and that Anik’s words were beneficial to Bisping’s image rehabilitation. The English fighting icon has mentored many English fighters and has been criticized for favoring them during fights.

Thus, having a broadcast partner vouch for his professionalism would have served as a useful endorsement and may perhaps endear him to those skeptical of his ability to withhold his bias while calling fights. It remains to be seen if fans will take issue with Bisping calling any more fights or whether this will blow over.

What do you make of Anik’s reasoning? Was Bisping biased toward Leon Edwards in his fight commentary? Did you have Usman beating Edwards on the scorecard? Let us know in the comments.

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