UFC fighter Andrei Arlovski apologises for using homophobic slur
Andrei Arlovski of Belarus (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty)
UFC fighter Andrei Arlovski has issued an apology after using a homophobic slur in a TV interview.
Arlovski, the former UFC heavyweight champion, had made the comments in an interview with ESPN 4 after defeating Ben Rothwell on Saturday (July 20).
He had said: “Once again I will tell everyone shut your f**king mouths about my glass chin, so go f*ck yourself, faggots. That’s it. I proved to everyone you’re f**king wrong.”
After the comments caused anger, the UFC star issued an apology in a statement to MMA Junkie.
Andrei Arlovski ‘deeply sorry’ for using anti-gay slur
He said: “I apologise to anyone I offended with my poor choice of words.
“I did not mean to offend any one group or person. I am deeply sorry and will not use these type of words in the future.”
Andrei Arlovski of Belarus (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty)
UFC told the outlet in a statement: “UFC is aware of the recent remarks from heavyweight athlete Andrei Arlovski.
“The organisation does not condone any disparaging comments regarding race, religion and/or sexual orientation.
“We have already addressed this issue directly with Andrei and his team.
“This is an ongoing priority for the organisation, and there will be continued monitoring of these types of situations moving forward.”
UFC has several LGBT+ athletes
Several out LGBT+ fighters compete in the sport, including two-time women’s champion Amanda Nunes, who is engaged to fellow fighter Nina Ansaroff.
Accepting a visibility award from Equality California in 2016, Nunes said: “I’m going to do everything I can to support this community with a positive presence by sharing my love and showing everyone that I’m happy.
“My dream has come true and I want to share this with everyone and help a lot of people be themselves. I’m going to keep doing it until the world is better.”
Transgender MMA fighter Fallon Fox retired from the sport in 2018.
Fox faced anti-LGBT attacks within the sport, with MMA fighter Paulo Costa threatening to “beat up” Fox and claiming she has an advantage over other women.
