UFC coach Din Thomas issues apology for 'irresponsible' retirement announcement after UFC 330
Speaking on the Deep Waters podcast, Din Thomas described his post-fight comments as 'despicable' and reaffirmed his seven-year commitment to supporting Robertson despite stepping down from cornering roles.
UFC coach Din Thomas has formally apologised to fighter Gillian Robertson for making an 'irresponsible' retirement announcement immediately following her loss to Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330. The controversy erupted after Thomas used the post-fight interview platform to declare he was retiring from cornering fighters, stating he had determined Robertson had reached her ceiling as a title challenger.
The event took place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, where Dern defended her women's strawweight championship. While Robertson was dominated for much of the bout, she finished with a strong fifth round, taking Dern down and spending significant time in top position. However, Thomas’s comments overshadowed the performance, with many in the MMA community finding the sentiment disrespectful in the immediate aftermath of a defeat.
Speaking on Monday’s episode of the 'Deep Waters' podcast on the UFC on Paramount+ YouTube channel, Thomas admitted the timing was inappropriate and despicable. He acknowledged that he had 'selfishly stolen' Robertson’s moment by making the announcement instead of congratulating her on her performance and career longevity.
Thomas reflected on Robertson’s journey, recalling when she was struggling to win consecutive fights before achieving a significant winning streak and breaking records. He noted that he had tried to quit cornering duties previously, notably after Tyron Woodley’s loss to Jake Paul, but took on Robertson with a commitment to see her journey out.
Despite announcing his retirement from cornering, Thomas reaffirmed his support for Robertson. He stated, 'I've got your back; I've always had your back. This is not the end,' emphasising that his seven-year partnership with the fighter would continue in a supportive capacity even as he stepped away from the corner duties.
