Matt Mitrione (photo via Spike / UFC)

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Monday that Matt Mitrione has had his contract suspended, after the heavyweight reportedly directed comments at Fallon Fox, which included calling the transgender fighter a “disgusting freak.”

In an appearance on The MMA Hour program today, Mitrione apparently also relayed that he believes Fox is “sociopathic” for competing against women, and that the fighter’s career is an “embarrassment to the sport.”

Not long after the interview aired, the UFC released the following statement:

“The UFC was appalled by the transphobic comments made by heavyweight Matt Mitrione today in an interview on the ‘MMA Hour.’

“The organization finds Mr. Mitrione’s comments offensive and wholly unacceptable and — as a direct result of this significant breach of the UFC’s code of conduct – Mr. Mitrione’s UFC contract has been suspended and the incident is being investigated.

“The UFC is a friend and ally of the LGBT community, and expects and requires all 450 of its athletes to treat others with dignity and respect.”

The career of Fox has captured headlines recently, after it was reported that she underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2006. Fox currently holds a MMA record of 5-0.

Mitrione is coming off a quick, first round stoppage of Philip De Fries at this past Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 9 card in Sweden.