Jon Anik disagrees with Justin Gaethje’s criticism toward Michael Bisping following Saturday’s UFC 286 headliner.
Gaethje blasted Bisping’s “very unprofessional” commentary of the welterweight title trilogy bout between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. Gaethje is a teammate of Usman and was not pleased with what he felt was biased analysis from his cageside position alongside fellow color commentator Daniel Cormier and play-by-play man Anik.
After reviewing the tape himself, Anik couldn’t stand idle and allow Gaethje’s criticism to go unaddressed. The lead commentary voice took to social media and came to the defense of UFC Hall of Famer Bisping (via Twitter):
While broadcasting Edwards-Usman 3 live, certainly felt as though Leon Edwards landed the more consequential shots and felt he won the fight. Upon watching it back, my scorecard reads 47-47. Outstanding championship fight. I'll never judge. Respect to the athletes on a classic!
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) March 20, 2023
While broadcasting Edwards-Usman 3 live, certainly felt as though Leon Edwards landed the more consequential shots and felt he won the fight. Upon watching it back, my scorecard reads 47-47. Outstanding championship fight. I’ll never judge. Respect to the athletes on a classic!
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) March 20, 2023
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.
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) March 20, 2023
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.
Gaethje (24-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) competed in the UFC 286 co-main event at The O2 in London and earned a majority decision over Rafael Fiziev in the Fight of the Night prior to Edwards’ title defense against Usman.
Bisping has yet to respond to the comments from the former interim UFC lightweight champ.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.
