Andrei Arlovski apologizes after making a terrible remark about the death of a former opponent Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
“Honestly, I still think I won that fight, but unfortunately the judges gave it to him,” Arlovski continued. “But I’m the winner anyway. He’s dead, I’m alive.”
Unsurprisingly, Arlovski’s terrible remark sparked an immediate online backlash from just about everyone under the social media sun. The 47-year-old then issued a lengthy statement trying to explain what he meant.
“I never thought that his passing was somehow my victory,” Arlovski wrote. “This is not who I am and this is not what I believe.”
Arlovski revealed that he has battled cancer three times, explaining that these experiences changed his perspective on simply being alive. He also cited the language barrier, while taking responsibility for how his comments came across.
“English is my second language,” Arlovski wrote. “Sometimes the words that come out of my mouth don’t fully express what’s in my heart or head. I take responsibility for how my words came out and apologize to anyone I hurt or offended, especially Anthony’s family and loved ones.”
The apology was not very graceful. Arlovski opened his statement by telling his “haters” to “F off” and accusing critics of digging something negative. Nevertheless, he eventually admitted that Johnson deserved his victory and insisted that he would never celebrate the death of his former opponent.
“Anthony won our fight. Nothing will ever change that,” Arlovski concluded. “Cancer is not a competition. Death is not a victory. Life is a gift. Rest in Peace, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.”
