Midnight Mania! Gaethje Goes To War With ‘Liberal Cesspool’ MMA Media

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Justin Gaethje probably just earned some brownie points with UFC CEO Dana White by taking that pesky MMA Media to task.

It all started, as it often does, on Twitter. UFC’s ventures into the Middle East are not without controversy, particularly its partnership with Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. Veteran combat sports journalist, Luke Thomas, commented on as much while the UFC 294 broadcast was promoting Abu Dhabi’s incredible safety record, pointing out their strict censorship policies.

Gaethje wasn’t having it. The UFC BMF strap-hanger wasn’t impressed with Thomas’ critiques, and he let him hear it. “Leave it to Luke,” Gaethje wrote. “You never miss a chance to let us all know how much better you are than everyone else. Their values are strong. Your morals seem weak but I’m sure I’m wrong.”

Continuing on, Gaethje also acknowledged the other related elephant in the room: Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. The United States has active sanctions against Kadyrov, a dictator with a horrific human rights record, but over the last decade, quite a few UFC fighters have visited or associated with him in Chechnya, from Khamzat Chimaev to Henry Cejudo to Justin Gaethje.

Two of Kadryov’s sons were in the corner of Khamzat Chimaev, and Gaethje admitted to going to their birthday party too. He also referred to Kadyrov as “the Chechnya guy” and was proud to bring some joy to those kids.

“Yes I went to the Chechnya guys sons birthday party. I will judge the world with my own eyes as you have. The people there were as respectful and excited to meet me as any other place I have been. Lighting up eyes of random kids in that town is something I would never give back.”

When longtime MMA photojournalist Amy Kaplan merely screenshotted Gaethje’s quotes with his own quote — “the Chechnya guy” — that also drew Gaethje’s ire. He replied back, “The liberal cesspool of MMA Media. You are the queen/king.”

I’m not sure why Gaethje was so on the offensive over Abu Dhabi and Kadyrov issues. Perhaps the knockout artist was simply upset that White seems ready to rebook Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 over another Geathje title shot? Whatever the case, his Twitter fingers were blazing!

Insomnia

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Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.