It appears there’s a problem with homophobia in the UFC.
Nate Diaz was suspended 90 days and fined $20,000 by the UFC after using a homophobic slur in a tweet. Diaz’s tweet was in reaction to the UFC taking away Pat Healy‘s bonus money for Submission of the Night at UFC 159 after testing positive for marijuana. The money was given to Bryan Caraway, who was the target of Diaz’s controversial tweet.
Check out edited versions of Diaz’s tweets below.
Diaz’s manager, Mike Kogan defended Diaz’s language while using the same word that got Diaz in trouble. Kogan was asked by FOXSports.com if Diaz regretted his tweet.
“Apologizing for what?” Kogan said. “He didn’t use that word in that sort of [homophobic] context. It’s a misunderstanding. If people are uneducated, that’s not my [expletive] fault. It’s slang for being a little b****. [Caraway] goes on Twitter and chases [UFC president] Dana [White] down like a little f** instead of picking up the phone.
“This was kind of like guys sitting around and one calling the other a b****. Would I rather be dealing with something else right now? Sure. But people are bashing my guy for something that was taken out of context.”
The UFC, on the other hand, took the matter very seriously.
“UFC lightweight Nate Diaz has received an immediate 90-day suspension and $20,000 fine for violating the UFC’s fighter code of conduct,” UFC owner Zuffa, LLC released in a statement. “The language used in his tweet was regrettable, offensive and inconsistent with the values and culture of the organization, and is not tolerated.”
Diaz has been in trouble with the UFC before for testing positive for marijuana. He was suspended for a year back in February 2012.
Thumbnail photo via Facebook/Nate Diaz
