Dana White: Criticism Over Homophobia In UFC Is Unfounded

Source: USA Today

Largely as a result of the Culinary Union's attack on the UFC, MMA's preeminent promotion has come under fire for what has been perceived as homophobia. From comments that the always brash, foul-mouthed White has made in the past to recent comments made by MMA veteran Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira concerning his trepidation at grappling with a homosexual, the UFC has had to deal with being labeled an anti-gay organization.

During this week's media events to promote tomorrow night's UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz fight card in Las Vegas, White answered those critics who see the UFC as a homophobic organization, explaining that gay fighters are welcome in the UFC and that any criticism his promotion receives in that vein is simply unfounded. (Props to USA Today for the quotes)

"I'll tell you right now, if there was a gay fighter in UFC, I wish he would come out," said White. "I could care less if there's a gay fighter in the UFC. There probably is and there's probably more than one."

White explained that he employs close to four hundred fighters, some of whom, much like himself on occasion, may be prone to saying some politically incorrect things from time to time; the UFC boss doesn't believe that any of their feelings or comments define the UFC or the sport of MMA.

"Come on. We're all human beings. We all make mistakes sometimes. It doesn't mean that the UFC is bad and we're unfit for children and all this other stuff," he said. "Tell you what: Out of the 375 guys, we've got a few lunatics; some guys that are nutty; and then we've got 300 and something that are incredible, awesome human beings who are inspirational to kids and adults and whoever else is a human being. So I don't like playing all that (baloney). I just don't do it, give a (crap) what the Culinary Union has to say or anybody else that wants to come out and says negative things about us. Because anybody that's been around the sport long enough knows it's not true."

Mark Wayne is the head writer for FightLine.com. He can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/_MarkWayne.