Earlier today we reported on Matt Mitrione appearing on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. During the appearance on the show, Mitrione unleashed a torrent of comments that can only be described as transphobic, calling transgender fighter Fallon Fox a “disgusting freak” among other things.
The UFC provided the following statement to Bloody Elbow after we asked for comment on the situation:
“The UFC was appalled by the transphobic comments made by heavyweight Matt Mitrione today in an interview on “the MMA Hour”.
“The organization finds Mr Mitrione’s comments offensive and wholly unacceptable and – as a direct result of this significant breach of the UFC’s code of conduct – Mr Mitrione’s UFC contract has been suspended and the incident is being investigated.
“The UFC is a friend and ally of the LGBT community, and expects and requires all 450 of its athletes to treat others with dignity and respect.”
We will have more details as the situation develops.
Update: For context, Bleacher Report spoke to Lawrence Epstein in January and he said the following about the code of conduct:
When asked about “the teeth” of the policy Epstein said that there would be financial penalties associated with violating the policy, but also some community service.
“For example, if you make a discriminatory comment about a certain community, you would be required to provide some community service to that community,” Epstein said. “In our view that’s going to turn into a benefit. It’s easy to criticize people you don’t know, but once you get to know somebody, once you get to experience what they’re all about it sort of changes you as a person in a way that money or fines could never do.”
About the author
