Recently, unnecessary actions were taken toward Edmen Shahbazyan, the fighter who wore a flag of the Republic of Artsakh out of the octagon, and a UFC employee. Patriotic gestures have been made in similar manners in the past, and they have gone unpunished. It is disappointing and even distressing to see the racism that UFC enacts against Armenians, specifically Edmen Shahbazyan, who is of Armenian origin.

Racism at this level shall not be tolerated. Armenians are an oppressed minority, and it is inappropriate for UFC to not only encourage, but engage in their oppression. We demand that all actions regarding Edmen Shahbazyan be undone, and that a public apology be made to Edmen Shahbazyan and the Armenian community on behalf of UFC. Irrelevant to any excuse that UFC may have, this is an act of racism, and we will not only refuse to tolerate it, but we will advocate against UFC until it is properly accounted for. We refuse to watch UFC until this is properly resolved.

Thank you,

Ovsanna Balian, Charles Penny, & Anahit Sinanyan