Fighter denies making anti-gay comments after UFC win

Moments after booking the biggest win of his UFC career, middleweight contender Yoel Romero found himself mired in controversy because of the comments he made in his post-fight interview inside the Octagon.

Romero knocked out former light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Florida on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), an impressive performance for the former Olympian.

His victory lost a bit of luster, however, thanks to a post-fight speech that seemed to criticize the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage in all fifty stages.

Speaking in heavily accented English, Romero said: "What happened to you, USA? What happened to you? What's going on? You forget the best of the best of the world, the name of Jesus Christ. What happened to you? What come, USA? Go back for you, go!"

His final statement drew the most scrutiny, with some saying that Romero said: "Go for Jesus, not for gay Jesus," while others believe the fighter said: "Go for Jesus, not forget Jesus."

Romero, whose nickname is "Soldier of God," explained his comments via an interpreter in the post-fight press conference.

"First of all, I am a man of God, and God is love. My expressions are always going to be about love. What I was trying to say in the Octagon was, live for the American Dream," Romero said, as quoted by MMA Fighting.

"I will tell you guys something. God made man to be free. Anybody can do whatever they want. I wouldn't be the type of person to critique anybody. I have to look at myself first, and be a better person, to love people," he continued.

"What I was trying to say was, to the United States, thank you for giving me the American Dream. There is no better country, because it is blessed by God."

Other UFC fighters were at a loss for words while watching Romero's Octagon speech. Scott Jorgensen, a UFC bantamweight, said on Twitter: "Why, Romero, why?" and lightweight fighter Kevin Lee said Romero should expect a "PR visit" after his comments.

Lee also said on Twitter: "Maybe I'm tripping, but sounds like Yoel was about to go at the USA for making gay marriage legal. Am I tripping?... I just don't think it's a good idea to come to a foreign country and insult their morals and policy."

Adnre Fili, a featherweight fighter, pointed out that it was difficult to determine exactly what Romero said.

"I'm pretty sure he just yelled a bunch of homophobic stuff, but it was so hard to understand that no one is sure if they're offended or not," he said on Twitter.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Munoz prepares to face good friend Machida

LAKE FOREST, California – When UFC middleweight contender Mark Muñoz steps inside the Octagon later this week, he’ll be facing more than just an ordinary opponent – he’ll be fighting a friend.

Muñoz, known as “The Filipino Wrecking Machine,” is slated to fight former light-heavyweight champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida on October 26 at UFC Fight Night in Manchester, England.

Muñoz and Machida have been good friends for the past two years, and were training with each other just days before Muñoz’s original opponent, Michael Bisping, withdrew from the match after suffering an eye injury.

The UFC then announced the Muñoz-Machida match-up.

“It’s a very big challenge, but at the same time, we’re professionals,” said Muñoz. “This is business. Nothing personal, and the winner is going to buy dinner.

“It’s crazy, it just took us by surprise,” he admitted. “But it is a business, that’ just the way it is. We’ll remain friends afterwards.”

Muñoz and Machida now have a difficult task of fighting one another but also as two people who intimately know each other’s fighting styles.

Riley Ross, one of Muñoz’s trainers, said the key factor for Muñoz is to take the former champion to the ground.

“One takedown, and it’s done. That’s our plan,” said Ross. “There’s no secret about it. We’re not going to stand and trade with a guy like that. But if Machida gets caught trying to defend a takedown, Mark will bring the thunder.”

Muñoz has a lot riding on this fight. A win against Machida could propel his career to new heights and give him a shot at the middleweight championship.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com