The UFC warn Nicholson that his insensitive comments towards Hyun Gyu Lim will not be tolerated in the future.
UFC middleweight Alex Nicholson was caught using a racial slur against Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC 202.
Nicholson, who was cornering teammate Mike Perry at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, told Perry, “He (Lim) can’t even open his motherf—ing eyes, boy,” before the fight started. The audio was picked up by the UFC corner audio microphones. Perry won the fight via first-round TKO.
The UFC released a statement on the issue earlier this week, per MMA Fighting, and warned Nicholson that further remarks could result in a suspension.
UFC competitor Alex Nicholson made a derogatory comment toward another UFC athlete while cornering his teammate, Mike Perry, at UFC 202. UFC has addressed the matter with Nicholson, as well as Perry, to express the organization’s disappointment with Nicholson’s insensitive remark. As such, the organization informed Nicholson that any future instances of this nature could result in a suspension from competition, or termination of his contract.
UFC requires all athletes to act in an ethical, responsible and respectful manner, as mandated by the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy. UFC holds its athletes to the highest standard and will continue to take appropriate action if and when it is warranted.
A few days after the fight, Nicholson apologized to Lim and said that he was hyped for his teammate.
I respect every man who steps in the cage and my comments were insensitive towards lim I was hype for my brother but It’s all love no hate.
— Alex Nicholson (@spartanlife32) August 23, 2016
Perry also responded to the controversy on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour and said things may have ‘been blown way out of proportion.’