Even one of the most popular fighters in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA) has a lapse of judgement from time to time, one that might put him on the naughty list for awhile.
During a recent fan Q&A at the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted by UFC broadcaster John Gooden,top welterweight Donald Cerrone was highly critical of Daniel Cormier’s plan of attack against late replacement Anderson Silva.
To watch Daniel Cormier vs. Anderson Silva full fight video highlights from UFC 200 click here!
That’s because “Cowboy” expected the light heavyweight champion to be more aggressive and stand with a fighter who took the fight on two days notice after Jon Jones was popped by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) just days prior to their scheduled fight.
His choice of words, however, wasn’t the best.
“How you gonna give up weight and then fight like a fag, man?” Cerrone said during the discussion. “Anderson gives up 30 pounds, flies in on two days notice and fights you. Stand up and fight, motherfucker.”
Those comments didn’t sit too well with the UFC higher-ups, who told MMA Fighting they were “incredibly disappointed” in Cerrone and would be having a talk with “Cowboy” about his offensive comments to discuss the severity and impact they could have on many people, including the LGBT community.
A community UFC firmly supports, as evidenced by the “We Are All Fighters” shirts that were on full display during International Fight Week to benefit the LGBTQ Center in Las Vegas.
Learn more about that here.
Of course, Cerrone may not be too fond of Cormier from the get go, as “Cowboy” is one of Jones’ longtime training partners over at Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Nevertheless, an apology was made later that day.
“Earlier today, I said something that was offensive and I’m truly sorry,” Cerrone wrote on Instagram. “I’ve got so many friends and fans in the LGBTQ community who I let down today. I can and will be better because I respect the community and equality matters!”
Seems like every time “Cowboy” heads to the UFC Fan Expo, he gets caught in his own lasso.