Cris Cyborg Accepts the Apology of Jackson Wink’s Photographer on One Condition

We’re still dealing with all of the fallout from UFC 219 as we step into 2018. Usually after a big fight, the questions pour in of what’s next for whoever took the victory. Cris Cyborg faced her biggest challenge yet in Holly Holm, yet still perceived and proved her dominance over an opponent that no one can poke holes in anymore. Instead of enjoying this victory and moving on to potentially getting a deal done with Megan Anderson for her next featherweight title defense, she was battling it out with a photographer who made some insulting and controversial comments on his Instagram. After a campaign to get his to apologize, he finally issued one. However, Cyborg issued a caveat.

“I accept the apology and hope Dana White and the UFC listen to my request to no longer grant you a credential to any UFC events. You were unprofessional and if you photographed any other professional sport such as the WNBA, you would lose access to work those events. With so many photographers able to remain professional at events, you do not deserve their space in the company.” — Cris Cyborg in reply to photographer Mark Aragon’s Instagram apology.

I want an apology @JacksonWinkMMA I was nothing but respectful to @hollyholm and your team @ufc @Mickmaynard2 https://t.co/W31JOxGtlq

— #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) January 1, 2018

A photographer is supposed to showcase the fights and fighters through an objective, no pun intended. If this photographer has failed to do so, it’s hard to disagree with Cris Cyborg’s request. Since the incident, fighters such as Derek Brunson and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone have spoke out in favor of Cyborg and dismissing the statements of the photographer. Below is his full statement to which Cyborg has responded to, requesting that his credentials be revoked.

“As the most hated photographer in the world today, I feel its necessary to comment on the recent fall out I’m causing for both Holly’s and Cyborg’s camps, and their respectful friends, fans, and families. At the conclusion of UFC 219, I took the final bus out of the arena back to the hotel and ended up on the same bus as Chris Cyborg and her team. As I sat in the back I began to hear them cheer and revel in their victory and discuss small parts of the event. A couple things really bothered me. I heard them laughing and commenting on a picture that renowned photographer Esther Lin took of Cyborg’s toes literally in Holly’s eye from a kick. Cyborg then went on to discuss how during clinches ‘the b-tch’ just ‘stayed and hugged her but she did nothing’. When I got back to the hotel I posted a picture with an inappropriate caption that everyone is now talking about. I was obviously acting out of anger and frustration. My personal emotions got in the way of my professional status which I failed to adhere to. But there is more to it, Cyborg leading up to the fight through her own social media accounts accused Holly and our camp of being the most drug failed camp ever. This is a totally fabricated lie and can’t be based on any merit whatsoever. Only one current athlete from our camp has ever been punished for USADA related issues and I was extremely frustrated with the perception that Cyborg and her fans had painted us as cheaters and losers. Jackson Wink had over 60 UFC fights throughout the world and hundreds of other fighters fighting all around the world at many different organizations. Every fighter has their home team based out of whatever country or state they hail from and come here for training, some of them with their own teams. We absolutely can’t be responsible for each and every one of their daily activities. That being said I am embarrassed by my actions and I sincerely apologize to Cris Cyborg and her friends, fans, and most importantly her family for posting such an ugly misrepresentation of a great hard earned championship retention. I also want to apologize to the members of team Jackson Wink who were effected by that insincere post.” — Mark Aragon via his official Instagram.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 1/2/2018