mma / Columns

MMA’s Trash Talking Problem

November 24, 2017 | Posted by Jeremy Lambert

Another week, another UFC fighter caught using a homophobic slur.

This time, it was Colby Covington, who called Fabricio Werdum a “faggot” while doubling (tripling?) down on his “Brazilians are filthy animals” statement. This comes a couple of weeks after Jorge Masvidal called Bisping the same word during a hotel confrontation prior to UFC 217.

Ironically, Werdum and Bisping have directed the same term at opponents in prior conversations. Werdum threw the Spanish version of the word at Tony Ferguson, while Bisping labeled Luke Rockhold with the term after beating him for the title.

Back in October, McGregor was caught repeatedly using the word as a way to pump up Artem Lobov.

Aside from the UFC saying Werdum would perform community service for the LGBTQ community, a request Werdum said he was never asked to do, no punishment has come down for any of these fighters.

They issued partial apologies, the UFC says they don’t condone the term, and life moves on until another fighter gets tired of calling someone a “bitch” and casually throws out the word “faggot.”

Back in 2009, South Park did an episode called “The F Word” centered around the use of the word “faggot.” Their point was that, the term wasn’t being used as a homophobic slur, but was just a word we used to call annoying people, annoying. It was designed to show that the word only has power if we, as society, allow it to have power.

In 2017, every word has power. That’s just the PC world we live in.

This isn’t about the word and the meaning or the intentions behind the word. I don’t think everyone that uses the term is a homophobe.

This is about the MMA culture, specifically the UFC culture, that has allowed fighters to get away with using this word for years.

Dana White used the term way back in 2009. He’s called it the biggest regret of his career, which also includes calling a reporter a “cunt.” To my knowledge, he hasn’t said the word again. However, he also hasn’t punished those who have no problem saying the word.

Putting out a statement that said Werdum would do community service for the LBGTQ community was nothing but lip service. Failing to fine fighters is a huge oversight, that doesn’t correct the problem, but at least shows that they’re attempting to action.

With no punishment staring back at them, fighters have no reason to stop using the words.

The bigger issue is that this term has become the go-to insult for fighters. Once they get tired of saying “bitch” and “pussy,” they inevitably go to “faggot.” It not only shows that they know they can get away with it, it shows how often they’ve been around the term. No one uses that word as often and as free it it’s not a word that they’ve heard used by others, often and freely.

It’d be fruitless to ask fighters to stop using the term. Taking money out of their pocket would hopefully make them think twice before saying, but it’s not a term that will go away. Fighters just need to be smarter.

Recognize that a camera is on you at all times, especially during the week of a fight. So, when you get into a confrontation with another fighter, just, be smart. Stick to saying “bitch” or “pussy” or “motherfucker” and don’t use any term that can be interpreted as a homophobic or racial slur.

Or, better idea. Learn how to trash talk better. Instead of using derogatory terms, simply tell your opponent that his skills are not very good. “You throw leg kicks about as well as the Browns draft quarterbacks,” is far better trash talk than repeating curse words.

Or, best idea. Don’t say anything. Let the other guy waste his breath while you just stand there and smile. He looks like a babbling idiot while you appear very confident. No one is going to fault you for not screaming back. You’re a professional fighter. The dude calling you a “pussy” just looks like an idiot.

The world is not going to become less sensitive. So, guys who choose to get punched in the head for a living must get smarter.

I’m on Twitter @jeremylambert88