Agencies-Gaza post
UFC cornerman demonstrates ‘dirty Brazilians’ remark
Tony Kelley has been overlooked online for comments he made toward his fighter during a recent event.
UFC cornerman Tony Kelley says he sees no problem with comments he made to his fighter Andrea Lee during last weekend’s event in Las Vegas describing opponent Viviane Araujo as “dirty fuc..king Brazilian.”
Kelley, who is also an active fighter on the UFC bantamweight roster, drew scorn online after he was overheard on the show telling his fighter between rounds: “They will. They are dirty Brazilians. You’re gonna fucking cheat like that.”
The comments were quickly countered by a multitude of fighters and fans on social media, with Brazilian fighters Cris Cyborg and Gilbert Burns both offering criticism, while welterweight contender Belal called Muhammad Kelley a “racist.”
Cancel culture is real. What I said was real and in the heat of the moment and in no way meant any racist connotations… but if you take it that way, idgaf. So many people are quick to say racist…that shit gets that old. My allusion was to a dirty eye prick.
— Tony Kelley (@TonyKelleyMMA) May 15, 2022
However, Kelley addressed the criticism in a social media post of his own, dismissing the allegations, declaring himself the latest victim of what he’s called “abandonment culture” and referring to an alleged look as dirty – although he doesn’t explain why he’s Brazilian singled out as a whole.
“culture is real‘ Kelley wrote online. “What I said was real and in the heat of the moment and in no way meant any racist connotation… but if you take it that way, [I don’t give a f***]. So many people are quick to say racist…it’s getting so old. My allusion was to a dirty eye prick.”
Ok, the work in the corner was terrible. Lee continues to date racists
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 15, 2022
😬😬😬Not a good sight.
— Adrian Yanez (@yanezmma) May 15, 2022
“Okay, that corner work was terrible. Lee continues to date racists‘ Belal Muhammad wrote online.
“Tony, do you even fight, brother?” Gilbert Burns added, while Adrian Yanez – who will fight Kelley next month – was also critical of his upcoming opponent’s comments.
“Not a good sight‘ the Mexican-American bantamweight wrote.
However, Kelley’s cornering didn’t have the desired effect as Andrea Lee was defeated by Araujo by unanimous decision.