During the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Tsarukian vs. Hooker in Doha, Qatar, UFC commentator Michael Bisping stirred controversy both inside and outside the octagon by criticizing WWE while talking about heavyweight Denzel Freeman’s career. Freeman, who is set to debut in the UFC against Marek Brzyło, previously spent time in WWE’s developmental system after leaving college in 2014, but according to Bisping, his stint there was short-lived for a clear reason.
Bisping remarked on a live broadcast, “He was on the roster of professional wrestlers in WWE. He didn’t like it because it was too fake. Obviously, completely fake. They kept telling him to slow down in training…” Freeman’s display of speed and explosiveness during the fight clearly didn’t fit the slower pace emphasized in WWE matches, where performers are often advised to slow down to protect their opponents in choreographed bouts. However, Bisping’s blunt dismissal of wrestling as “totally fake” reignited a longstanding debate about the legitimacy and physicality of professional wrestling, a topic that has been contentious among wrestling veterans and fighters who crossover between sports.
For instance, Tyson Fury, the lineal heavyweight boxing champion who appeared in WWE against Braun Strowman, shared a vastly different perspective, saying, “I think it’s 100 times more impactful than boxing… it’s painful to say the least.” While Bisping’s comments may have been reckless, they serve as a reminder that professional wrestling, though scripted, involves genuine physical risks including bruises, broken bones, and intense rehabilitation.
Was Bisping out of line calling WWE “completely fake,” or merely honest? Share your opinions in the comments and weigh in on the debate.
Fan Take: This controversy highlights how deeply WWE’s physicality can be misunderstood by outsiders and underscores the respect due to its performers. The clash of perceptions between UFC and WWE is crucial for fans, as it challenges how we appreciate the intense athleticism and storytelling that define sports entertainment.
