Bryan Caraway responds to twitter backlash

It was backstage at Newark’s Prudential Center during UFC 159 that Bryan Caraway (18-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) convinced UFC president Dana White to up the evening’s bonuses from $50,000 apiece to $65,000. Weeks later, and in a roundabout sort of way, Caraway found himself the beneficiary of his own lobbying efforts.

Caraway received a $65,000 bonus on Wednesday for his third-round guillotine choke submission victory over Johnny Bedford at UFC 159, which now stands as the events “submission of the night”.

That bonus money became available after the New Jersey Athletic Control Board announced that Pat Healy had tested positive for marijuana following his victory over Jim Miller on April 27.

Because the UFC withholds bonus money until the pending results of the post-fight drug tests, and does not award fighters who fail the tests, Pat Healy never received his 65k and now never will.

After being informed that he was now the winner of UFC 159’s submission of the night bonus, Bryan Caraway had this to say:

“I couldn’t be more happy, and it was an insanely pleasant surprise. All I’ve got to say is that’s some expensive weed. I like Healy a lot. I came up through the fighting ranks with him. We used to train together at Team Quest. I love the guy. But I have absolutely zero remorse or guilt. I hate weed. I cannot stand it. I’ve never tried it. I’ve never smoked a drug in my life. So I have absolutely zero tolerance for people that do it. I don’t care if it’s legal in some places or not. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. Whether it’s legal in real life or not, they tell you to follow the rules. You need to follow the rules.”

Caraway’s reaction to receiving the bonus money was considered by most to be less than humble and by some, in particular Nate Diaz, to be a ‘bitch move’.  After catching wind of the negative backlash, Bryan “Kid” Caraway took to twitter to share his explanation for his previous comments.

@BryanCaraway: I feel I deserved the SOTN anyways for my sub. And fighting on 5 days notice cutting 23.5 pounds and making weight and winning!

@BryanCaraway: My oldest sister is heavily involved in drugs an has caused many hardships on my fam And she started with weed Dnt judge me u dnt know my story