Local Canadian MMA fighter Michael Imperato (7-1), who signed a contract to make his UFC debut as a replacement for Frankie Saenz against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Fight Night 55 in Sydney, Australia, has been released by the promotion less than 24 hours after joining it.
The likely reason for Imperato’s release was the UFC avoiding a public relations nightmare, as the fighter has a history of making racist, homophobic and sexist slurs, some of which were caught on television, with the most prominent example being an episode of the documentary series “Fight Xchange.”
During the show, Imperato referred to fellow contestant Nate Stark as a “n*gger” and a “f*ggot.”
Six months after the show aired, Imperato tried to publicly apologize, however it appears that the damage has already been done. Below is Imperato’s apology statement.
“I have used racist words when I was mad, not to be racist just to make people mad in an argument or heat of the moment. I never realized how stupid I sounded or how much I effected others. I have recently realized where these words have come from and I regret using them. I also apologize to any one who was hurt by my comments.
The world is changing fast and can be pretty crazy. Laws are being changed and some people agree and others don’t. I believe that everyone should be able to live in what ever way makes them happy. I am not against any religion or any gay male or female.”
Imperato has confirmed his UFC release, as he wrote about it in a lengthy post on his official Facebook page, which you can read below.
“Thank you to everyone for their support and interest in my career. Unfortunately I have made some decisions in life years ago that are now affecting me. Thanks to a reality show that I was in where I made some stupid comments and of course people being jealous, I have just got my contract to the UFC cancelled.
To everyone that knows me personally I have nothing to explain, I have always been open hearted and would do anything to help anyone. I have never had weapons, drugs, never raped anyone, never killed anyone I bent over backwards for more people then I can count.
At the end of the day, when people are jealous or are hating on you for your success they will do anything to bring you down. I spent 9 years working on my dream and when it finally came to reality it blew up.
I don’t know where I will go from here but I am truly blessed to have the friends and family in my life that I do. Over the years, through this sport I met so many amazing, nice , and kind people.
You never know where life will take you and you never know when a speed bump or in my case a brick wall will pop up.
Thank you to every training partner I have ever had. Thank you to every tournament I have ever been to. Thank you to every gym that I have trained at. Thank you to my 10 year friend, coach, and mentor Sam Zakula. He spent years working with and opened up a lot of doors for me. Thank you to Xcessive Force FC for giving me a chance to represent their company as their bantam weight champion. Thank you to Pat Wilson who came into my life and got me a shot at the big show.thank you to chris x.And thank you to the girl who has been by my side though thick and thin. I love all you guys and I’ll never forget the great moments I had through my amature and pro career.
I never give up or lose hope but sometimes I guess it’s best to step away and let everything heal.”
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