UFC fighter responds to allegations he used racist language between rounds

UFC bantamweight Tony Kelley was heard referring to “dirty Brazilians” as he cornered Andrea Lee during her fight with Viviane Araujo

UFC fighter Tony Kelley has denied using racist language while in the corner at last night’s show in Las Vegas.

Kelley was advising partner Andrea Lee in her fight against Vivane Araujo when he was overheard saying: “They will do that. They are dirty Brazilians. You will fuck. * so cheat. You know what? We came to screw someone.” Kelley was immediately criticized by militants on social media but has since claimed he was a victim of “abandonment culture”.

“Cancel culture is real. What I said was real and in the heat of the moment and was not meant to have racial connotations in any way,” he tweeted. “But if that’s how you take it, I don’t give a shit. So many people are quick to say racist… it’s getting so old. My clue was a dirty eye prick. “

WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE

Kelley is set to return to action next month when he faces Adrian Yanez at a UFC Fight Night event in Texas on June 18. But he faced backlash on social media when fighter Dudu Dantas said: “That’s what happens when your corner has a shrimp brain. A real idiot!”

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns offered Yanez a bonus if he ends Kelley in their summer reunion. “My man, Yanez, finish your next fight and I’ll send you some extra money,” he wrote. Yanez himself reacted to the incident with the words: “Not a good look. Was wanting a finish, but now it will be more satisfying.”

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Araujo went on to beat Lee on points but the fight was overshadowed by Kelley’s comments. The Brazilian was later taken to hospital as a precaution and neither addressed the media nor discussed the alleged remarks made in her opponent’s corner.

Araujo’s win was her first in 16 months after having to wait a year to return to the cage following her points loss to Katlyn Chookagian. Araujo was due to return to action in January but saw her planned fight with Alexa Grassa cancelled.