UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano has come forward with an apology following her heated message to mixed martial arts reporter Ariel Helwani. Now the statement has made its way to the internet.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani recently took to Twitter to report that the Ultimate Fighting Championship is allegedly growing impatient with Montano. The journalist claimed that the MMA promotion is possibly looking at other options, beyond Montano’s next title defense.
“UFC is losing patience with Nicco Montaño. As I reported last week, the plan was for her to defend the 125 title against Valentina Shevchenko in Calgary but they are having a hard time getting a commitment from her. While it’s not scrapped, they are now looking at other options.”
UFC is losing patience with Nicco Montaño. As I reported last week, the plan was for her to defend the 125 title against Valentina Shevchenko in Calgary but they are having a hard time getting a commitment from her. While it’s not scrapped, they are now looking at other options.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 1, 2018
Montano would later take to Instagram to refute Helwani’s claims with a heated statement. Check it out below:
“This just in…. @arielhelwani is a huge waste of space. Everyone and their grandma knows about my condition. I’m 5days post tonsillectomy and adenoid removal surgery due to a bacterial infection that’s been inhibiting my practice all year. Soonest I can get back on the mats is 16 more days. The UFC not only knows about this but flew me out to Vegas themselves to get this surgery done ASAP so I can jump on getting a fight with Schevchenko lined up.
“If you’ve been a fan of mine then you know my mind set… no girl is anything I’m not. Who’s scared to fight? It’s what I do, it’s literally why I’m the anomaly here, because I was ranked #14 on the show and came out #1. It’s apparently in douchbag’s best interest to throw my name out to the wolves in order to stay relevant.
“I literally haven’t spoken a word in 5 days due to my condition and Mr. Poor Excuse of a Man has not only brought it upon himself to be the leader of idiot fans who don’t know the difference between MMA and UFC but also has the balls the size of a baby rat to say I’m scared while key board warrior over here is more than likely to eat a fat man’s ass than get in the octagon with HIS 125lbs Champ… ? drop. …….. lesson of the day, don’t believe everything you read, idiots run their mouths. Ps, @arielhelwani you suck at your job, I heard MMA is looking for a better journalist who is actually knowledgeable”
Now Montano has returned to the social media platform to offer an apology for her recent criticism. The champion’s statement may be seen below:
“Today will make day eight since I got my surgery and I’ve been cooped up in my place pretty stiffly, not being able to talk or move my neck or move at all really do to the pain and discomfort. It’s been getting better day by day, and all I’ve been able to do is contemplate really so in a way it continues to be a very appreciative experience. And I can definitely say that I can sympathize or that I at least have an idea about anybody with any temporary or permanent handicap, whether it’s physical or emotional.
“On that note I will say that I’m sorry for the names I called Ariel, I was speaking in the heat of the moment, but at the time I felt what he and Valentina teamed up to do (because that was his source) was uncalled for. I had already stated my current situation a month ago and said my goal was to get healthy so I can come back and fight Valentina, so there was no question in my mind that she’s going to be my next opponent, but they were kicking me while I was down and I felt like I was backed into a corner and needed to defend myself. It was a purely instinctual move and I shouldn’t have taken it that far but that’s where it went.
“I won’t however be shamed into silence about how I think he handled his job. I’ve done nothing but be honest with all of you via my social media accounts (except for Twitter because I forgot my password and log in info) and he wasn’t able to conclude from that what’s been going on with me?
“He’s obviously doing his job, but he’s using biased propaganda instead of the truth and that’s what truly irritated me.”
“Anyway I’ve decided to put this all behind me because of the people I want to continue to Inspire. I want them say confidently that they would like to follow in my footsteps. We’re part of a way bigger movement here people and I feel like being a champion, being a leader, I need to be even more mindful than most about what messages I’m sending across.”
“I know that the change has to start with our leaders, with our champions, with people who take the initiate to stand up for themselves and others and utilize their free speech and courage. Through my process of obtaining my role I’ve experienced so much bullying and irrationality that I would be easy for me to just give up.
“But I’m choosing to stand strong. I can either choose to believe what other people say or I can believe in myself and I choose the latter, as can you. There’s only one person’s opinion who should matter to you most and that’s you own.”
