MMA fighters talking trash on the social network is a great way to put butts in seats, but sometimes the phenomenon takes off in odd directions, like UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes vs. Invicta FC flyweight Pearl Gonzalez. It began when Blaydes complained about female fighters getting opportunities for their sex appeal, not their talent.
"I’m a girl dad so lemme make this clear I’m not against female athletes getting publicity and media push and love from fans when it’s deserved and earned thru legitimate hard work and grinding," wrote Blaydes on Facebook. "My issue is why do so many female athletes complain and gripe about being overly sexualized by fans/media but then at the same time many of them are profiting off said sexualization thru media endorsements, high profile placement on fight cards, and overall popularity which leads to many other financial opportunities.
"I don’t hate hustling either like if that’s how a female wants to pay her bills thru her body which is what many strippers do and I have no problem with either hustle but you can’t live life that way and expect to garner the same type of respect and love that real grinders get. You can’t have your cake and your ice cream pick one, either you’re gonna hustle and make money off your athletic achievements and skill set or you’re gonna hustle and sell bikini pics and forfeit that respect hard work and sweat brings....this is an open table discussion just wanna hear y’all’s honest opinions."
Blaydes included screenshots from other messages he had written on the topic.
“So you telling me Paige Vanzant and Rachel Osto-whatever actually deserve time remain on the UFC’s roster for their ‘athletic achievements’ and their not just on cards for their sex appeal? Cause if I’m wrong about that then I guess the whole premise of my original statement is wrong and I apologize but if you’re a legit fan of MMA you couldn’t possibly believe the two females I mentioned are on the roster for anything other than the fact the look good in bikinis.”
"Pearl she’s another one who’s not a very good fighter but stays relevant cause she’s constantly posting bikini training pics, her skills are exactly what they were 5 years ago a brawler with terrible footwork and decent grappling. Too many females in the athletic industry are getting by on being sexy not actually being good at their craft.”
Gonzales, a fellow Chicagoan, was not impressed.
“A fighter complaining how my looks keep me relevant and that my skills haven’t improved," she tweeted. "The fact you are today years old and still can’t speak a full sentence blows my mind.”
Glades then cried foul.
"I’ve got a SPEECH IMPEDIMENT that’s why my sentences don’t sound as clear as normal ppls," he tweeted. "What’s your excuse for your lack of growth in MMA?"
Gonzales remained unimpressed.
"This is exactly an excuse! I’m a convicted felon and have read more books than you have w ur degree," she tweeted. "I put in work every single day in EVERY area of my life including my sport. I am 100% perisistant and consistent in my growth. You’re opinion is irrelevant, stop hating BRUH!"
“To be 100% honest I wasn’t talking about his speech impediment. I was talking about the stupid topics he chooses to speak on. We have such a huge platform & to choose to tear down women is so sad.”
“We’re both from Chicago… a city full of violence.. somewhere we need to uplift.. I used to shout this man out for being from the same city as me. I used to be a fan. Why not reach out & try to help women instead of criticizing?”
“You didn’t just shame me... you shamed all women.”
This kind of makes me miss Matt Lindland making fun of Phil Baroni for his choice of shorts.
h/t MMA Junkie