People on the Internet are currently angry at the UFC for running a Black History Month special starring lightweight contender Michael Chandler.
Throughout the month, the UFC promised to air several features to promote black athletes to celebrate “their significance in promoting and growing” the sport.
Via UFC.com
Throughout February, UFC will highlight the personal stories of African American and Black UFC athletes, past and present, while celebrating their significance in promoting and growing UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts.
UFC will also commemorate Black History Month across its digital and social platforms with exclusive content such as an interactive timeline, features, and vignettes published weekly to UFC.com/black-history. UFC will also include special content during its broadcasts via watermark inclusion, athlete features, and vignettes throughout the month.
During Saturday’s UFC Vegas 19. the promotion decided to run a feature starring Chandler, a white man who adopted a black child to celebrate Black History Month.
Y’all think I’m lying about this white savior piece the UFC just aired for #BlackHistoryMonth ?
Okay, bet. pic.twitter.com/cKsvDWmJJu
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) February 21, 2021
The UFC received a ton of backlash on social media considering there are a ton of black fighters within the organization who could have been featured instead of Chandler.
UFC interviewing chandler for black history month when they have plenty of black fighters? pic.twitter.com/cO6LXILZnf
— Bovice (@BR0VICE) February 21, 2021
Completely agree. No disrespect to Michael Chandler. He is a class act. But using #BlackHistoryMonth to promote a white UFC fighter is so tone-deaf. There are so many active Black UFC fighters that could have used that platform tonight https://t.co/0IIQEZcBFW
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) February 21, 2021
Every single black UFC fighter when the UFC decided Michael Chandler is the ideal candidate to talk about black history month. pic.twitter.com/wfFRXlmvUq
— The Combat Hub (@combathubreal) February 21, 2021
UFC: We did this piece on Michael Chandler adopting a black child…
Me: OK
UFC: …for Black History Month
Me: What the f– https://t.co/QXkTU2ssvh
— smoogy (@smoogymma) February 22, 2021
Please tell me the @UFC didn't just feature a white guy on their Black History Month segment because he adopted a black child… #UFCVegas19 pic.twitter.com/glb7RHYHa2
— 👑🥔 The Swa 🥔👑 (@TheSwaGames) February 21, 2021