Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum apologized in a tweet for using a homophobic slur.
During his clash with Tony Ferguson, Werdum referred to Tony as “maricon.” According to SpanishDict, “maricon” is an extremely offensive word for someone who is queer.
Werdum, however, denied that he meant to offend anyone in the “LBG” community with it, claiming it was a “common word in Spanish culture.”
Maricon is common word in the Spanish culture and I do not mean to offend anyone in the LBG community and if I did I'm apologetic #heeyy
— Fabricio Werdum (@FabricioWerdum) September 29, 2017
Not everyone accepted his apology, though. Reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg said Fabricio had no respect.
This guy no respect
— #UFC222 CyborgNation (@criscyborg) September 29, 2017
Gav Tobias-Jefferon referred to it as a “sh**ty apology” and insisted Werdum should act more like a role model:
What a shitty apology. It's LGBTQ and it was the first time you got called out for homophobia too. You're a role model, act like one. @ufc
— Gavin Jefferson (@DoctorUlysses) September 29, 2017
Others were more sympathetic to his apology:
he didnt need to grow out of it. Seems like a valid excuse to me. Thats the way people where he is from talk. Why do we care so much?
— AerialPenn_MMA (@AerialPennMMA) September 29, 2017
No matter what you think of his apology, though, the UFC has already handed Fabricio Werdum his punishment; he will be doing outreach in the LBGTQ community.
