“Dana will give him a raise” – UFC commentator Michael Bisping’s ‘homophobic comment’ caught on camera defended by fight fans

Michael Bisping caught uttering an anti-gay comment on live television.

Michael Bisping utters a controversial comment on live TV after UFC 298 (via DailyMail)

Michael Bisping recently replaced Daniel Cormier in the commentary booth for UFC 298 alongside Joe Rogan and Jon Anik. The fights of UFC 298 and the atmosphere at the Honda Center were electric. Soon after the main event, Bisping joined ESPN for his broadcast duties. Shockingly, he dropped a homophobic slur which spurred wild controversies.

Working for ESPN, Michael Bisping discussed the fights of UFC 298 and called off the show. While ending his segment, Bisping stated ‘What a guy’ in reference to one of the fighters. As such, after a long pause, assuming the camera had cut off, Bisping jokingly spoke to himself and stated:

What a guy? That’s ‘fu****g gay.
Michael Bisping via ESPN

Someone caught the live moment on camera and shared it on social media. This soon went viral, causing controversies among the public. Many critiqued Michael Bisping for his anti-gay comment. They even brought up past instances of Michael Bisping teasing opponents with homophobic slurs.

To mention a few, he used the word ‘fa***t’ against Luke Rockhold and Jorge Rivera. But, it was part of his trash-talk for which he faced huge backlash and even regretted it once.

I promise you 99% of the MMA community doesn’t care. https://t.co/ZH8ClbFAZO
— Volksbandage ? (@Volksbandage) February 20, 2024

Amidst controversies, fight fans defended the former UFC champion claiming he didn’t mean it literally and was just a comment. As of now, Michael Bisping is yet to address the issue. Also, the UFC and ESPN personnel haven’t made any statements regarding it.

Fans defend Michael Bisping’s anti-gay comment on ESPN broadcast

Michael Bisping was known for his perseverance to attain UFC gold even after losing vision in one eye. After retiring, he extended his career as a fight analyst and soon came to be known for his attention to detail. However, while working with ESPN after the fights of UFC 298, he let out an anti-gay slur that caused huge backlash online.

Fight fans support Michael Bisping amidst recent controversies (via Leader Land Academy)

Seeing the hatred Michael Bisping received, fight fans stood beside the former champion and defended him. They considered he didn’t mean it literally and just spoke it spontaneously as a joke. Not to mention, he waited for a long time before uttering any word. But the direction team failed him as they didn’t cut right after his segment and waited a little too long. Here are some interesting reactions from the fans:

calling things gay isn’t homophobic wtf
— P (@DKD2421) February 19, 2024

https://twitter.com/lazyjibba81/status/1759632080647168024

How was that homophobic? Trash media
— Top MMA Content (@TopMMAContent) February 20, 2024

Dana will give him a raise
— Ni Hao (@itsogreforyou) February 20, 2024

Lol he just made a million more fans with this comment
— ? Zeen (@zeenmachine12) February 20, 2024

100% doesn’t care.
— Bob Sacamano ⚠️ (@BrockSide_) February 20, 2024

I have a gay parent and I think it’s hilarious ?
— Tanner wakefield (@TannerW081916) February 20, 2024

Honestly they set him up for it he was done speaking and you saw how long that wait was before it cut he definitely thought it was off air but it’s not like he hasn’t said anything like this before
— Marcus Clayton (@i_isbeabeast) February 20, 2024

https://twitter.com/ChrisHud375148/status/1759814891957801131

The MMA fans joined hands to prove not many people cared about Michael Bisping’s slip of an anti-gay slur. They took it in good spirits and even acknowledged it as a joke. As such, they trashed the media and anyone who portrayed the former champion had offended the homophobic community.