Manager defends Michael Imperato after UFC signs, then releases, him

The manager of Canadian bantamweight Michael Imperato today said the fighter holds no ill will toward the UFC after it signed and released him in the wake of revelations about his past.

Manager Pat Wilson said Imperato (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was set to face Aljamain Sterling (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 55 as a replacement for the injured Frankie Saenz, but the promotion cut him just one day after announcing the fight when another Canadian fighter brought to light racist and homophobic comments Imperato made on a Canadian MMA reality show.

“We want to hit it head on about racism and make young athletes realize that however much you have changed, it can affect you in the future,” said Wilson, who represents Imperato. “If we can help one person, that’s the next best thing.”

UFC Fight Night 55 takes place Nov. 8 at Allphones Arena in Sydney. It’s unknown whether Sterling will remain on the UFC Fight Pass-streamed preliminary card.

Despite indications that Imperato’s time with the industry leader is over before it started, Wilson said the fighter wants to educate others rather than fire back at the fighter who called attention to his behavior.

Although Wilson said Canadian featherweight Lyndon Whitlock flew into a “jealous rage” when he heard Imperato was signed to the UFC, he said Imperato “doesn’t hate Lyndon, and he realizes it would have came up sooner or later.”

According to a report on BloodyElbow.com, Imperato used a racial slur in reference to another cast member during a confrontation on the show “Fight Xchange,” which aired this past year on the Super Channel. A YouTube clip showing the confrontation was turned to private.

Wilson confirmed Imperato used a racial slur but said the incident was played up by editing. Although he said he did not represent Imperato at the time, he adamantly denied the fighter is a racist. He said Imperato attempted to contact the cast member and made a public apology about the incident.

Nevertheless, he said he understood the UFC’s decision to release Imperato because “they don’t need the negative feedback from it.”

On the website TopMMANews.com, Imperato wrote:

“Growing up in Canada in these last couple of decades really has not taught me, and I am sure a lot of others as well, about racism. In the last year, some great movies have came out that really open your eyes to this, such as ’42,’ ‘The Butler,’ ’12 Years A Slave,’ and ‘Mandela.’

“Many people still to this day use racist words not really knowing where it comes from or what the true meaning is. Growing up in a multicultural area, I never acknowledged the effect some words have on people. When you always hear people say things, you tend to think it is not a big deal, but to some it is a huge deal. To some, it brings back all these horrible memories that they lived through or grew up listening to what their parents and grandparents went through.

“I have used racist words when I was mad, not to be racist just to make people mad in an argument or heat of the moment. I never realized how stupid I sounded or how much I effected others. I have recently realized where these words have come from and I regret using them. I also apologize to any one who was hurt by my comments.

“The world is changing fast and can be pretty crazy. Laws are being changed and some people agree and others don’t. I believe that everyone should be able to live in what ever way makes them happy. I am not against any religion or any gay male or female.

“The sooner people come to realize this is the best way, the sooner lots of problems will be solved. All these things provoke people to act certain ways and can teach kids and even adults that bullying is ok.

It took me a while to realize a lot of things but I am happy I did. Let’s help people live the way they want to and start accepting everyone’s differences.”

MMAjunkie was not immediately able to reach Whitlock for comment.