Cris Cyborg is in a whole mess of trouble after punching Angela Magana at the UFC’s fighter retreat. Beyond the UFC calling the cops and Magana pressing battery charges against Cyborg, it seems as if she’s been left on an island and nothing Magana did leading up to that point matters, like making fun of a picture of Cyborg playing with a boy in a child cancer ward.
Of course, violence, in this case, isn’t the answer, but the UFC also thrives off unexpected flare-ups at company gatherings. Considering Magana is a strawweight and Cyborg is a featherweight, this fight will never be made, and so this is bad, bad, bad. Now, we finally are hearing Cyborg’s side, or at least her explanation of what led to her throwing heat at Magana. Cyborg doesn’t apologize, she just explains in not-so-subtle ways that Dana White and Joe Rogan’s mocking of her appearance over the years has given carte blanch to trolls of all shapes and sizes, even inconsequential employees.
Here’s Cyborg’s open letter, posted to her Facebook:
Dear Cyborg Nation,
I looked the word Culture up in the dictionary and it said “The social behavior and norms found in human societies” which made me start to think of all the different cultures I have had shape my views and how those experiences have sculpted my understanding of life and relationships, and it made me want to share my thoughts with those on Cyborg Nation.
Core Values of Culture are learned through those in leadership roles in the communities we live, work, and regularly interact with. When I first started training at Chute Boxe in Curitiba I learned the true spirit of fighting watching legends like Wanderlia Silva [sic], Shogun, and Cyborg train everyday in the gym. Everyone looked at these fighters as an example, we saw the hard work, heart, and dedication it took to become a World Champion and we learned not to expect anything less from ourselves. Training amongst these legends of the sport we learned how to win with pride, and if a loss happened to deal with it with integrity. Even though I am not training with Rudimar Fredrigo [sic] and the Chute Boxe team in Curitiba, I think I still represent the culture of the team and the values we place in honor, respect, and discipline which is why I have proudly flown the #CHUTEBOXE flag my entire career.
The way we select friends is often very different than the way companies select which ones to build long term working relationships with. The success of any company merger relies on the ability of the owners to merge core values of the two companies, giving special emphasis to the development of communication that can result in a positive conflict resolution whenever problems or misunderstandings occur.
Similar to my time in the gym with Chute Boxe I have learned that just like in fighting, culture in business is developed by those seen successful and high profile within the company. Examples of leadership are learned from the top down, and this results in what eventually becomes the culture of the company, and the identity of their relationships, and their associates.
When disparaging comments are made at the top, it sets an example that it is acceptable within the company, allowing lower ranking individuals to continuing following examples of leaders, establishing the culture and practices of the company. It is no secret I have been a victim of online bullying. At times in my career it has felt like their has been a team of writers using the internet to shape the public’s vision of my company’s brand, often attempting to make me look like the face of anabolic abuse in the sport of MMA. While it has been years since someone has said I looked like “Wanderlia Silva in a dress”, it doesn’t feel that long ago that I was listening to someone give me advice on how cutting off my dick would help me to make 135lbs easier. When people see these actions of people high profile in the company being promoted through social media without consequence or even a public apology, they see it as an acceptable behavior within the company, and often view it as an encouraged opportunity at self promotion. It should never be acceptable for a company to allow their employees to develop a culture where sexual harassment, racial prejudices, or female discrimination are acceptable in the work place.
When two companies work together, it is not only money, but the relationships within those companies, that establish the value, length, and success of the partnerships. Feeling welcomed, respected, and having trust that the two companies are mutually beneficial and seeking the same goals is essential for any success in a long term commitment. While profitability is important it can not be the only factor when determining a merger of two companies because for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
For me it is simple to see the things I value. I am a family girl from Brazil who is not impressed by the lights of the show and the sound of the radio. While I do place some value in money I also know the joys of working for a company that values respect, loyalty, and honesty amongst its associates and discourages a workplace where sexual harassment, racial prejudices, and discrimination against females fighters is acceptable promotion.
Love,
Cris Cyborg
Cyborg is not too subtly referencing these comments from longtime UFC commenter Joe Rogan:
@joerogan @TonyHinchcliffe @danawhite your jokes are mean and hurtful not comedy. Who would want 2 work for a team that's so disrespectful
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) November 17, 2015
Rogan kind of apologizes to Cyborg regarding his repeated callouts of her alleged steroid usage here (which is somewhat fair but Cyborg has technically only popped once), and took responsibility for the joke about her “cutting off her dick” here:
“I shouldn’t have said it, but it’s what you say if you’re hanging around with comedians, you know? It’s what we do. Plus, I had a couple of drinks. It was just a dumb thing to do, and I certainly didn’t mean it with any malice. I honestly didn’t. Then Tony elaborated on it and went even deeper with it. That’s what you do in a roast. She didn’t ask to be roasted, and it’s not her fault, but it was in the context of what we were doing. Still, I shouldn’t have done it, I shouldn’t have said it. I do feel bad about it, because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Anyway, I didn’t mean to start any static with her or anything like that, so I hope she accepts my apology. It’s my fault and I take full responsibility.”
Dana White has repeatedly mocked Cyborg before she was under contract with the UFC:
Cyborg’s point is valid — the employees of the UFC consider it fair game to mock her because there will be no reciprocation. Even if it’s people that are completely irrelevant to the future of the company like Angela Magana.
