Cyborg: UFC encourages disrespectful company culture

Cris Cyborg is taking the UFC to task for its indirect role in her dustup with Angela Magana this past weekend.

The two fighters confronted each other at a company retreat in Las Vegas, resulting in a brief altercation during which Cyborg punched Magana.

Cyborg confirmed Monday via a statement posted to her Facebook page that she was motivated by past insults that Magana had posted about her on social media.

In an excerpt below, she brings up her own history of being verbally abused for her physique and chides the UFC for seemingly promoting that kind of behavior among its fighters.

It is no secret I have been a victim of online bullying. At times in my career it has felt like there have 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.

Cyborg has been cited for misdemeanor battery by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and could face up to six months in jail if charged and convicted.

- With h/t to Bloody Elbow