UFC fighters Charles Radtke and Manel Kape have expressed regret for the use of homophobic language after their victories in Sydney, Australia.
Charles Radtke won his first UFC against Mike ‘Blood Diamond’ Mathetha at UFC 293 in Sydney on Saturday, September 9. Instead of being a moment to cherish, it was marred by Radtke using offensive language and swearing at the spectators.
He later apologised for his comments on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the slurs do not represent his true character and attributing his outburst to the emotions running high after his victory.
Manel Kape also went on a tirade filled with expletives and homophobic slurs during UFC 293, targeting his original opponent, Kai Kara-France, who had to withdraw from the fight due to a concussion.
Kape also apologised in a post-match interview, acknowledging that fighters sometimes say things they regret in the heat of the moment.
Despite the incidents, UFC president Dana White did not suggest that there would be any repercussions for the fighters. As reported by the BBC, White acknowledged that people make mistakes and emphasised how one recovers and conducts themselves afterwards.
White had apologised in 2009 for using a homophobic slur against a journalist. Additionally, earlier this year, UFC fighter Jeff Molina, who identifies as bisexual and is the first male UFC fighter to identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community openly, criticised homophobic fans of the sport.
