Tag: Idiot

(Posting this image alone seems inappropriate enough given the “context” of this article, but we’ll get to that in a minute.) 

The man formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver but now spoken only of in terrified whispers as “War Machine” just can’t stop making himself look like an absolute dipshit. Or won’t stop.

The twice imprisoned Bellator welterweight has been fired in the past for making his insane thoughts public, to the point that he is currently the face of the “Think Twice, Then Type” campaign on the social networking site. His most recent remark, also on Twitter, may be his worst to date. However, it does not appear that his employer cares in the slightest.

Just raped @ChristyMack She tried to make me wait until “after errands” As if! =p” War Machine tweeted August 10th.

Christy Mack, of course, is his adult film actress girlfriend.

Koppenhaver went on to declare that, “Real men rape. (Their GF’s and wives, not strangers, don’t get your panties in a bunch.)” Yes, Mr. Machine, let us not jump to conclusions when judging your moral turpitude.

As one would expect, Machine’s latest musings were not received without criticism. Thankfully, we can all rest assured knowing that Machine’s thoughts — which he typed himself, mind you — were taken out of context.

“Apparently you idiots didn’t read my tweet prior to the one y’all are crying about, it puts it in the right context. Sensitive ass bitches,” he scribed, likely while wearing an ascot and smoking a corncob pipe. “Context is the word…y’all motherfuckers just love to take what I say out of CONTEXT and then attempt to demonize me with it. #DIESLOW.”

…

Without coming off as the PC police, I think we can all agree that War Machine’s rant crossed a line. What intrigues us most, however, is the correlation between Twitter, MMA and rape jokes. I mean, there’s obviously some hidden connection there, but why exactly? Is there something about only having 150 characters to express oneself that makes MMA fighters want to assert themselves sexually by force? Details at 11.

Shortly after, however, War Machine became enlightened and issued a heartfelt tweetology, “I tweeted something earlier that was stupid, insensitive and wrong. Rape is never something to joke about ever. I sincerely apologize.”

Listen, I like Jon. Or at least the guy named Jon I briefly interviewed years ago shortly after his season of The Ultimate Fighter. *Jon* seemed earnest and courageously spoke openly about his psychological and emotional issues, as well as the help he was seeking for them.War Machine, on the other hand, needs to get a hold of himself and perhaps cancel his Twitter account. He’s a talented and skilled fighter but may be close to once again having his livelihood threatened by stuff he says or does outside of the ring.

Or not. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney issued a long-winded statement that amounted to a whole lot of nothing regarding his organization’s stance on its fighters being insensitive about rape in response. “I agree with those who found Jon’s earlier statement to be offensive and inappropriate,” the statement began.

And, while his public apology surely does not excuse his statement, it does evidence his recognition of the seriousness of the situation and his realization that what he said was offensive, ignorant and hurtful. Since the day I entered this business, I’ve believed that my job was to treat our fighters like human beings and not like property. Human beings make mistakes and sometimes say stupid things. I’m surely prepared to take action in warranted situations as evidenced by recent promotional contracts we have terminated with well-known, popular fighters who have committed assault and/or who have broken the law. But, in this situation, I remain hopeful that Jon will learn from his mistake, redeem himself and become a better man for it and I would like to give him that chance.

We probably shouldn’t be surprised that Bellator isn’t even appearing to try to dissuade its fighters from saying and doing reprehensible things via actual forms of punishment. After all, they signed Brett Rogers. And nothing short of smacking a woman at a gas station will get you released from your contract over there.

I’m not calling for Machine’s release but goodness, Bjorn, would it be too much trouble to do or say anything of consequence that might make it seem like Bellator does not let its fighters, especially those with violent criminal pasts, say this type of thing publicly? YOU’RE MAKING US ALL LOOK LIKE ASSHOLES.

– Elias Cepeda