Justin Gaethje admits to being emotional after his fight and regrets criticizing Michael Bisping’s commentary during the Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman fight at UFC 286.
Justin Gaethje, former interim UFC lightweight champion, admits that emotions run high after a fight and wishes fighters weren’t judged for the things they say in such tense situations. In his case, he made comments about Michael Bisping’s commentary during the fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman at UFC 286. At the post-fight press conference, Gaethje called Bisping “unprofessional” for the way the UFC Hall of Famer called the main event, though he conceded he was biased while watching his teammate Usman, who ultimately lost a majority decision. Bisping didn’t take offense to the accusations and understood that Gaethje was just supporting his friend.
Looking back, Gaethje acknowledges he was a prisoner of the moment, leading to his shot at Bisping. “I wouldn’t talk to us for a week after we fight,” Gaethje said. “We’re so emotional, and yes, seeing my teammate lose made me more emotional. The night before at weigh-ins they did a Q&A, and I thought [Bisping] was more biased, and that rubbed me the wrong way, so really anything he said was going to piss me off, especially because my teammate was fighting. So I think his assessment was spot on. I think I was probably overly emotional.”
Gaethje watched Edwards vs. Usman 3 from the backroom just moments after his unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event, so his adrenaline was definitely pumping as he watched Usman in the cage. Gaethje felt that Bisping was talking up Edwards more than Usman due to their English roots, but he didn’t mean to question the UFC Hall of Famer’s legitimacy as a commentator. “I didn’t mean to throw Michael Bisping under the bus,” Gaethje said. “I thought that he was a biased commentator that night watching from the back. I thought there were some comments made that were unprofessional, but I thought it was due to the fact that they were from a common place, and that’s all I was saying. I don’t believe that’s false. I believe that’s true. But I also started it off by saying I’m just as biased or more biased than him. So it is what it is.”
Regarding UFC’s broadcast team members, Gaethje has no ill will against Bisping but doesn’t consider him his favorite commentator. Gaethe remembered that Bisping had commented negatively about him when he first arrived in the promotion, fighting Michael Johnson. “I’m a pretty petty person, and some things you don’t forget.” As for someone he admires on the UFC’s broadcast team, Gaethje praised Jon Anik. “I think Anik [is the best]; his passion is unmatched,” Gaethje said.