Brown

By FCF Staff

Matt Brown made headlines throughout 2013 for adding two more impressive wins to his resume, but now the rising welterweight is making news for controversial comments he reportedly made about women’s MMA.

According to multiple reports, the 32 year-old veteran was discussing the recent UFC 168 bout between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey, on the first episode of the “Legit Man Shit” podcast. According to a transcription from MMA Mania, Brown then proceeded to say:

“The whole fight we have women in one room, men in another room. Rousey and Miesha come on and all the women just f–king gather around the TV like it’s the f–king Kardashians coming on. I always said, ‘I don’t know why they put women in the UFC.’ Now I know why. I just think this, if I’m [going] to pay $60 for a pay-per-view to watch women fight they should at least be topless.”

“How many knockouts do you see in women’s fights? It’s not really my thing, I respect what they do, but look, they don’t have the body type or the power, all that shit, for knockouts. If you’re not a good grappler in women’s MMA then you’re behind. It’s no different than the 125 [pound] division of men’s MMA in that they’re just really not built for knockouts.”

Other outlets are also reporting that Brown made the statements on the show, however, the episode has since been removed from the Soundcloud.com server. As of Thursday afternoon, Brown had yet to comment on the situation via Twitter, and the UFC has not released any official statement.

During a media call Thursday to promote World Series of Fighting’s January 18th event, the promotion’s president Ray Sefo weighed in on the situation. WSOF 8 will feature a strawweight bout between Jessica Aguilar and Alida Gray to determine the promotion’s inaugural champion.

“First of all, if that’s true that he said that, which I very much doubt, but if it is true I think it’s disgusting and I think that everybody should respect all the female fighters because they do bring it, they are talented,” said Sefo. “It really gets to me when people start saying stupid sh– like that.”

Gray was also asked to comment on the situation and stated:

“I feel that’s very disrespectful; we’re fighters and we’re athletes,” said Gray, who has gone 4-0 since transitioning into pro MMA. “Just like any sport we work hard for what we do, and you know, he’s entitled to his own opinion, but we’re going to put on a fight and he’s welcome to tune in if he wants.”

WSOF Executive Vice President and matchmaker Ali Abdelaziz also offered this, while discussing Brown’s contention that smaller fighters aren’t built for knockouts. At this stage of the call, Brown’s reported “topless” comments hadn’t been relayed.

“I believe that if Alida hit anybody, including Matt Brown flush, the way she hits people…she would even knock him (out) too for talking like that about the women.”

WSOF 8 will be hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The event’s main card will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network.