The UFC has suspended fighter Matt Mitrione for quite possibly the most anti-transgender rant in the history of sports. Mitrione said, among other things:
"That is a lying, sick, sociopathic, disgusting freak," he continued. "And I mean that. Because you lied on your license to beat up women. That's disgusting. You should be embarrassed yourself. And the fact that Florida licensed him because California licensed him or whoever the hell did it, it's an embarrassment to us as fighters, as a sport, and we all should protest that. The woman that's fighting him, props to you. I hope you beat his ass, and I hope he gets blackballed and never fights again, because that's disgusting and I'm appalled by that."
One of the things that separates his comments from others is the joy he took in making them:
"I'm glad I could make fun of him a little bit because he's obviously got some mental issues and wants to beat up on women," he said.
The UFC released a statement to Bloody Elbow:
“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.”
Fox is currently scheduled to fight on May 24.
