Report: Anheuser-Busch Warns UFC About Controversial Statements From Fighters
By FCF Staff
While the Ultimate Fighting Championship and mixed-martial-arts has had its share of critics in the past, now one of the promotion’s major sponsors has reportedly informed it that they’re concerned about the actions of some of its fighters.
According to a report from Advertising Age, the beer giant Anheuser-Busch has relayed to the UFC:
“We’ve communicated to the UFC our displeasure with certain remarks made by some of its fighters, and they have promised to address this. If the incidents continue, we will act,” the company said in a statement, before adding that Anheuser-Busch “embraces diversity and does not condone insensitive and derogatory comments rooted in ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, etc.”
The UFC responded to the company by saying:
“With over 425 athletes on our roster, there have unfortunately been instances where a couple athletes have made insensitive or inappropriate comments. We don’t condone this behavior, and in no way is it reflective of the company or its values.”
The reprimand from Anheuser-Busch, which currently has an advertising agreement with the UFC for it’s Bud Light and Bud Light Lime brands, comes after several notable fighters like Forrest Griffin, Miguel Torres, and Rashad Evans have made controversial statements related to sexual assault in recent months.
UFC President Dana White has also come under fire in the past for comments he’s made that were characterized by critics as homophobic or sexist.
Although some fighters have been disciplined by White and the UFC for making controversial remarks, including Torres who was briefly let go by the promotion, some observers have called on the organization to implement a broader and more stringent code of conduct for its fighters.
Welcome to Fox TV Dana White. Enter the world where you are no longer in control of your company. Have fun.