As the UFC heads into its second PPV since returning from the forced halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has not addressed the issues of this week with respect to the Black Lives Matter movement. While it did make room to memorialize George Floyd last week, its social media channels were noticeably quiet when it came to the subsequent protests.
In addition, Bellator MMA is another organization in combat sports that did not address the situation as the promotion has been out of action since this past February. While its been noticeably quiet on the social media front, it also did not express concern or push for a facilitation of discussion on this important subject. A request for comment to the PR staff was not returned.
This past Tuesday, a movement called BlackOutTuesday was honored by many sports leagues and people. In symbolism, many posted blackout photos on their social media channels to highlight the injustices of the African American Community. Originating within the music industry, it was to represent the pause in “the long-standing racism and inequality that exists from the boardroom to the boulevard.”
Notably, while Stipe Miocic honored it, others were not so keen on the movement.
Perspective on #BlackOutTuesday pic.twitter.com/cFJ6e8ywIv
— Jason Cruz (@dilletaunt) June 3, 2020
The Professional Fighters League, which has called off its 2020 season, One Championship Fighting (which also included a lengthy post on Facebook by Chatri), Golden Boy Boxing (which retweeted a post from its sponsor Hennessy in support of BLM), Top Rank Boxing, Premier Boxing Champions, WWE and AEW all posted support of the movement to continue to fight for equality with most outright expressing that Black Lives Matter. Although the movement might sound controversial, especially to those that lobby for “all” lives matter, the sentiment at this juncture would render that person uninformed.
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) June 2, 2020
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) June 4, 2020
— WWE (@WWE) June 2, 2020
#BlackoutTuesday pic.twitter.com/iwIaACJFTj
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) June 2, 2020
Hennessy does not tolerate racism. Hand in hand with our partners, we will continue to invest in ways to combat injustice and inequality. We will be making an immediate donation to the @NAACP. We stand with the Black community. Now and forever. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/2IFPMeFLze
— Hennessy US (@HennessyUS) June 2, 2020
United as ONE. @yodchatri #BlackLivesMatter #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/Q48VSYAGzV
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) June 4, 2020
Its hard to claim that the UFC let this slip past or was unaware of the multitude of protests that happened in ALL 50 states across the nation as well as in other countries. They also cannot put their head in the sand with the reprehensible tear-gassing of citizens on the street of Washington D.C. on Monday in order for the President to take a picture in front of a church. Clearly, the President is an ally of the UFC. The promotion made sure that a video with the President congratulating the company in returning on May 9th was seen by those that purchased the PPV. So, saying that the company wanted to remain neutral in this discussion is false.
For his part, Aljamain Sterling has spoken up about the protests and the rights of black Americans during fight week as he prepares to return to the Octagon this Saturday.
I asked @funkmasterMMA
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 3, 2020
about how he is feeling right now about the response to the murder of George Floyd and the ongoing issue of racial inequality in America.
His answer was incredible and I really appreciate his perspective. pic.twitter.com/qm2CettfIW
Also, of note, Amanda Nunes, arguably the best women’s MMA star to compete in the UFC returns to the Octagon in the main event as she faces Felicia Spencer. Nunes, whose wife is pregnant with their first baby, exemplifies the diversity that the UFC can claim. The first gay MMA Champion in the UFC is by-far one of the best overall fighters in its history. Yet, even during LGBTQ Pride Month, the UFC has not really promoted Nunes as such.
Could it be an oversight? A lack of interest and/or marketability on the part of Nunes? Both?
The answer is that the UFC understands its audience. It knows that even though the company made attempts to reach out to expand its demographic reach, its bread and butter is white, young males. Of this group, more likely than not, they lean conservative. Thus, Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQ community may not be of interest to them. This is not to say that the main demo hates the African American community or the LGBTQ community. It’s just that they’d probably be uncomfortable with these images. Hence, little to no mention about the Black Lives Matter movement or Nunes during LGBTQ Pride month. So you say that shouldn’t these movements be “human movements” and humanity, not diversity, should be the overarching theme and the treatment of all to be equal should be the overarching theme. Well, perhaps that should be expressed.
At a time, when there must be a side to be on, the UFC and Bellator have remained on the sidelines. This is unacceptable. Even the WWE, a company that is known to be backers of the Trump Administration with Vince McMahon’s wife a former member of the cabinet and now leads a SuperPac that looks to re-elect the 45th president of the United States.
White is well-aware of current events, noticeably he posted this picture to his Instagram Story account on Thursday.
Dana White on IG pic.twitter.com/U3NxVmDb81
— Jason Cruz (@dilletaunt) June 4, 2020
Thus, it is curious that even with all that is going on in the world, it has not taken any time to address this important issue.
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