Cris Cyborg reacts to Jackson-Wink photographer losing credentials

Over the last few days, JacksonWink photographer Mark Aragon has been on the receiving end of a tidal wave of scorn, having made some truly ugly comments about UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg on Instagram in the wake of her UFC 219 win over Holly Holm.

The staff photographer from Jackson-Wink posted this last night. Apparently he was also credentialed to the fights. Would expect a lot more from such a well respected gym. https://t.co/EYXRLE4Vs4 pic.twitter.com/YaAMuEyJOA

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) December 31, 2017

In the midst of this backlash, Aragon offered his attempt at an apology:

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 Hollys and Cyborgs 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 Cris 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 Cyborgs toes literally in Hollys eye from a kick. Cyborg then went on to discuss how during clinches “the bitch” 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 @criscyborg 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 Jacksonwink who were effected by that insincere post.

A post shared by Mark A. Aragon (@ma2_media) on Jan 1, 2018 at 12:37pm PST

Unsurprisingly, however, this statement didn’t smooth things over with Cyborg and her team, who repeatedly demanded the UFC strip Aragon of his media credentials.

Eventually, the UFC heeded Cyborg’s demands, announcing in a statement that the photographer was no longer credentialed.

“UFC is aware and troubled with the recent statements made by a social media representative from the JacksonWink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico as it concerns women’s featherweight champion, Cris Cyborg. UFC does not condone or tolerate the remarks that were used. The organization has reached out to the JacksonWink team to inform them that the individual in question will not be granted access for future events.”

Now, Cyborg has reacted to this development. Unsurprisingly, she is pleased that the UFC took action.

I want to thank the @ufc for showing their support. everyone is entitled to a work environment free from sexual harassment and prejudice pic.twitter.com/u3AwIVIUkL

— #CyborgNation (@criscyborg) January 3, 2018

Do you think the UFC took appropriate action after Mark Aragon’s comments about Cris Cyborg?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 1/3/2018.