Unfortunately for Cris Cyborg and her camp, she was once again the butt of a very cruel joke, following her UFC 219 main event win over Holly Holm. This time though, it wasn’t Joe Rogan or Dana White, it was a member of Holly Holm’s team, who is also a credentialed UFC media member, that made fun of the champion’s appearance.
The man serves as photographer for the world renowned Jackson/Wink team, and he took to his social media with some cruel jokes and found himself quickly in the hot seat.
In his original post he stated, “This dude is tough as hell! That being said at the press conference he said Holly was the first one to make his nose bleed! You are my hero [Holly Holm] see you back in the gym”
This shocked the UFC featherweight champion, who instantly called for a public apology and for the UFC to ban the media member for life.
“It is not acceptable for an official representative of @hollyholm @jacksonwink_mma to call me transgender following my Fight. Their official photographer was given a backstage credential to attend the @UFC and I expect an apology or their ability to get credentials for future UFC events to be affected by these actions. @ma2_media”
What happened next was even more surprising, as the photographers team supported him, and instead of issuing a sincere apology, released two statements trying to explain away his actions.
“As the most hated photographer in the world today, I feel its necessary to comment on the recent fall out I’m causing for both Hollys and Cyborgs camps, and their respectful friends, fans, and families. At the conclusion of UFC 219, I took the final bus out of the arena back to the hotel and ended up on the same bus as Chris Cyborg and her team. As I sat in the back I began to hear them cheer and revel in their victory and discuss small parts of the event.
“A couple things really bothered me. I heard them laughing and commenting on a picture that renowned photographer Esther Lin took of Cyborgs toes literally in Hollys eye from a kick. Cyborg then went on to discuss how during clinches “the bitch” just “stayed and hugged her but she did nothing”. When I got back to the hotel I posted a picture with an inappropriate caption that everyone is now talking about.
“I was obviously acting out of anger and frustration. My personal emotions got in the way of my professional status which I failed to adhere to. But there is more to it, Cyborg leading up to the fight through her own Social Media accounts accused Holly and our camp of being the most drug failed camp ever. This is a totally fabricated lie and can’t be based on any merit whatsoever.
“Only one CURRENT athlete from our camp has ever been punished for USADA related issues and I was extremely frustrated with the perception that Cyborg and her fans had painted us as cheaters and losers. Jackson Wink had over 60 UFC fights throughout the world and hundreds of other fighters fighting all around the world at many different organizations. Every fighter has their home team based out of whatever country or state they hail from and come here for training, some of them with their own teams.
“We absolutely can’t be responsible for each and every one of their daily activities. That being said I am embarrassed by my actions and I sincerely apologize to @criscyborg riscyborg and her friends, fans, and most importantly her family for posting such an ugly misrepresentation of a great hard earned championship retention. I also want to apologize to the members of team Jacksonwink who were effected by that insincere post.”
However, JacksonWink MMA’s official Facebook page has since offered another side of the story. Taking to the social media platform, the training camp stated:
“In response to our media person’s recent Instagram remark about Cyborg, there is a backstory as to why he made his comment. After Cyborg’s victory, she was heard backstage by our media guy calling Holly a “Bi#%h” and laughing at a photo depicting her own toe in Holly’s eye.
“They were heard mocking Holly’s performance. Our media guy was defensive of our fighter and space and he used Cyborg’s past history of steroid use, in a knee jerk, response. We were unaware of all the backstage talk and his response on a public forum until yesterday. He regrets putting JW in this position. We don’t condone putting others down. Congratulations to Cyborg and her team and we look forward to a rematch.”
After what was really two failed attempts at apologies, the UFC announced on Tuesday that they have stripped the photographer of his credentials. As a result of his poor choice of words, he will no longer be allowed to attend UFC events.
Now, Cris Cyborg has spoken out in reaction to getting her wish, and seeing the man punished.
In a new social media post, Cyborg stated, “I want to thank the @ufc for showing their support. everyone is entitled to a work environment free from sexual harassment and prejudice.”
I want to thank the @ufc for showing their support. everyone is entitled to a work environment free from sexual harassment and prejudice pic.twitter.com/u3AwIVIUkL
— #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) January 3, 2018
