Anthony Johnson avoids suspension, agrees to counseling following gym incident/Facebook rant

Quote :

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Johnson last week took to Facebook to rant about a gym incident he had with an anonymous female. Following the incident and subsequent Facebook post, the UFC hired an independent law firm to investigate the matter.

On Monday, the UFC announced that, after the independent firm’s investigation, it was “extremely disappointed” with Johnson, but was not going to suspend him. Johnson instead agreed to undergo counseling and make a donation to a Florida-based women’s charity.

“Following a thorough investigation by a third-party law firm, UFC is extremely disappointed with Anthony Johnson’s recent actions, as the organization does not tolerate behavior of this nature from any athletes under contract with the UFC,” read a statement on UFC.com.

“Johnson personally apologized to the woman he verbally offended at a Florida gym last week and for the insensitive comments he made on social media afterwards. The woman accepted Johnson’s apology and indicated a desire to put this unfortunate matter behind them,” the statement continued.

“In order to ensure these situations do not happen in the future, Johnson has agreed to participate in counseling and UFC will support him through this process. Johnson has also agreed to make a donation to a Florida-based women’s charity.”

Johnson felt the heat almost immediately when the backlash started after he posted on Facebook about an incident, opening his tirade with, “To the ugly girl in the gym built like a bag of dog food, this is for you.”

The altercation apparently started because the unnamed female was doing yoga stretches on a mat in the weight lifting area.

“If you get in my way or any other athlete’s way again, I’ll throw your yoga mat across the gym AGAIN,” wrote the top-ranked UFC light heavyweight contender. “Who in their right mind stretches where ppl are supposed to lift?

“Don’t ever run your mouth at me again. You won’t win that battle, I will,” Johnson continued. “You need more than stretching to help that beat up body. One more thing, stop wearing sports bras when your tummy look like a old country red clay dirt road.”

The UFC quickly stepped in and hired a third-party to investigate, which led to Monday’s statement on the matter.

Steering clear of a suspension, Johnson will face Jimi Manuwa, as planned, at UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson 2 on Sept. 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/anthony-johnson-agrees-to-counseling-remains-on-ufc-191-fight-card

This is pretty much the perfect solution to this situation IMO.

He didn't do anything illegal, so the UFC wouldn't really have been in the right to suspend or release him.
But a lot of people feel that he was definitely in the wrong, so counseling and a little hit to his bank account sounds like a fair deal to me.

Yeah i agree. A punishment was given and Rumble can still fight. At least it will make all parties a little bit happy. Well maybe not the yoga mat. He was the real victim here and yet no apology for the mat from rumble. At least Rampage said sorry to the door he broke. Rumble so classless.

^^^
Lmfao!!!

Imho the UFC could have definitely suspended him under the personal conduct policy, BUT I am glad they didnt and agree this was a good solution. Get this shit in the rear view mirror as quickly as possible please.

Yeah I didn't mean to imply that they couldn't, because they most certainly could have. I just don't thing they should've, and thankfully they didn't.
I agree.

FistK wrote:

Imho the UFC could have definitely suspended him under the personal conduct policy, BUT I am glad they didnt and agree this was a good solution.  Get this shit in the rear view mirror as quickly as possible please.

same here