Kos' response to reacism allegations.

In a recent interview, top UFC Welterweight Josh Koscheck made some controversial comments about fellow 170 pounder Matt Hughes. The quote is from an interview over at FistFirstFighting.com where he says "[Matt Hughes] has no speed or athletic ability because he's white."

Koscheck riled up some people with the statement which prompted him to respond to the controversy on his official website, KosMMA.com:

"Racist" Comment

Aug 21, 2007

It is impossible for ME (KOS) to be racist against white people when Im half white and half black, not to mention that the most important people in my life are my grand parents who are 100 percent white.

Now the rest of my family is white also, my mother, brother and sisters are all white, and last but not least my girlfriend is white, I know for a fact that I loves both races and I do not look at people by color, Im a educated human being who happens to be a ultimate fighter, so for you folks that are trying create a situation that does not exist find something better to do!!!

Thank You

Josh Koscheck

Source : http://www.mmanews.com/ufc/Josh-Koscheck-Explains-Racist-Matt-Hughes-Comments.html

you know, his statement doesnt bother me, sure its stereotypical but im not that sensitive. what am i going to do get mad and write a letter every time someone makes a statement like that that has an air of truth to it? if you cant laugh at yourself and what makes you unique or different its time to become a shut in and an oprah fan.

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Posted by cmill21


Now the rest of my family is white also, my mother, brother and sisters are all white, and last but not least my girlfriend is white, I know for a fact that I loves both races and I do not look at people by color, Im a educated human being who happens to be a ultimate fighter, so for you folks that are trying create a situation that does not exist find something better to do!!!

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That bit in particular rings as so false to me. He does not "look at people by color" then why would he make a colour discriminating comment? Thats just completley illogical to me.

Furthermore, he tries to explain away his racism by trying to identify with the people he has insulted. Again, its just sloppy and immature. If he called someone a "******" or a "coon", but then said "I'm half caste, I can do this!" he'd be crucified.

I wish Kos would just go away.

I'm going to put the fact that this could be BS away for a second and just dissect this for what it is worth.


First of all the fundamental definition of racism is:

a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race


Now if you take what Koscheck allegedly said,

"[Matt Hughes] has no speed or athletic ability because he's white."


This fits the definition to a "tee'


It doesn't matter if you are white, black or whatever. You can be a Jew and still be racist against Jews and so on and so forth. Just like it is still racist for black people to use the "N-word".


I just wish people would understand what is and what isn't racism because it seems to me that a lot of people don't truly understand the meaning.

Goin' Breakdown


"It is impossible for ME (KOS) (was this included to assure the readers that HE (KOS) was writing this statement and not a handler? Why not include a photo of YOU (KOS) writing said statement?) to be racist against white people when Im half white and half black, (that doesn't mean that you can't be a racist, it just means that your parents definitely were not) not to mention that the most important people in my life are my grand parents who are 100 percent white. (even though they are slow and not athletic and in all probability, the descendants of farmboys.)

Now the rest of my family is white also, my mother, brother and sisters are all white, ("Now" they are white? Were they a different color prior to your interview?)and last but not least my girlfriend is white, I know for a fact that I loves (loves, not love..like I (ME) loves me some chitlins and blackeyed peas. (Seriously, that's good eating.)) both races (what about hispanics and asians, KOS? Don't you loves them too?) and I do not look at people by color (obviously you do or you wouldn't have made the reference. How can YOU (KOS) not look at people by color as it's the most obvious? I know that I (ME) do (does), but I don't assume they're inferior to me simply because of that), Im a educated human being (as opposed to being AN educated different form of life?) who happens to be a(n) ultimate fighter, so for you folks that are trying create a situation (yeah, it wasn't HIM (KOS) that said those things. HE (KOS) was just reading the cue cards that Don Imus wrote.) that does not exist find something better to do!!! (like watch HIM (KOS) fight GSP this weekend on PPV for only $39.95)

Thank You

Josh Koscheck "(ME (KOS))

I find all all subject matter like this hilarious. Who really cares if he (KOS - I can't let it go) said that Hughes was slower and less athletic because he's white? It's funny because it's true. By default, Kos is also saying that he is slower and less athletic.
I think he (KOS) was stealing a page from Ortiz and beginning some pre-fight publicity based on the notion that he (KOS) and Hughes will be facing off for the belt next year.
Is it just me or did he (KOS) look like he just walked out a strip club after a weekend bender?

-OUT-

i wonder if he thinks the same thing about st. pierre. that could be a mistake

His comments don't bother me, but only because I am very confident in my own speed.

Not that it bothers me in the slightest bit, but I love how he pulled the "I can't be racist because I know someone who is X" line...

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Posted by fullerene

His comments don't bother me, but only because I am very confident in my own speed.

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Awesome!

This doesn't sound any worse than the comments Ortiz was making leading up to the first fight against Rashad. I can see why people are over-reacting, but it really isn't much more than typical gamemanship. This kind of stuff goes on all the time on boxing and a big deal isn't made out of 99.99% of it. Why should it be any different in MMA? It's just a variation of typical trash talking.

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Posted by DCRage

This doesn't sound any worse than the comments Ortiz was making leading up to the first fight against Rashad. I can see why people are over-reacting, but it really isn't much more than typical gamemanship. This kind of stuff goes on all the time on boxing and a big deal isn't made out of 99.99% of it. Why should it be any different in MMA? It's just a variation of typical trash talking.

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I disagree. While I am fully capable of dismissing his remarks as asinine, and at the same time can fully appreciate making lighthearted "racist" comments with friends (of whom are all from different cultures and races), when you do it publicly, and when you are someone (*gasp* dare I say) a potential role model, you have to be more prudent in what you say. Also, some people are way too sensitive about certain topics. Is it really worth risking your job/reputation over trash talking?

IMO, when you resort to racist comments in trash talking, you've pretty much stated that you lost in the trash talk dept. Same with shots at mothers. I mean, if you can't say something witty enough without resorting to races and mothers, etc. then just don't trash talk.

I still feel that this comment wasn't made by Koscheck.

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Posted by Rush

I'm going to put the fact that this could be BS away for a second and just dissect this for what it is worth.


First of all the fundamental definition of racism is:

a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race


Now if you take what Koscheck allegedly said,

"[Matt Hughes] has no speed or athletic ability because he's white."


This fits the definition to a "tee'


It doesn't matter if you are white, black or whatever. You can be a Jew and still be racist against Jews and so on and so forth. Just like it is still racist for black people to use the "N-word".


I just wish people would understand what is and what isn't racism because it seems to me that a lot of people don't truly understand the meaning.

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It won't let me give you props... but I would if I could. Well said.

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Posted by Josh Koscheck

It is impossible for ME (KOS) to be racist against white people when Im half white and half black, not to mention that the most important people in my life are my grand parents who are 100 percent white.

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It is not impossible for anyone to be racist "against" anyone. His comments generalize a group of people based on race with no bases in fact. That is racism. It doesn't matter if the comments are positive or negative. It doesn't matter if he is white or he knows people that are white.

If I were Jewish and happen to work on Wall Street and I said something like "Black people can't work on Wall Street because they are lazy, but I am Jewish so it comes natural to me". That would not only be retarded it would also be racist "against" both group of people. It is unfair to generalize in any regard.

With that being said, I don’t judge people for being racist. Racism isn’t fair, but nether is life. Generalization is just the way our brains are organized. We generalize most things no matter how ridiculous the reason. In grade school I hated all the kids named Stephen spelled with a “ph” because my name is Steven spelled with a “v”. I hated them before I knew them. Is that fair, no, but it was true. I did hate them with a passion. I won’t judge Kos for making the comment if that’s what he believes even if I think he is a dumbass for it, but it is clearly racist.

Koscheck can make comments about both races i believe because he is both.It doesnt bother me at all.

Anyone can make comments, racist or otherwise, about anyone. Welcome to America. Problem is is when you start saying things like this, you start losing fans and when you lose fans, you lose sponsors. Just as he has the freedom to say things like that in interviews, I have to freedom to never purchase a product from his sponsors again.

Honestly I don't care one way or another, but the arguement of "You can't/can say that!" is pointless.

I don't think if your expected to be a role model, as all sports stars are, you shoulden't be saying things like this. Kids can take it wrong and start thinking stupid things like that because their favorite fighter said so. If he believes that about white people he's in big trouble, GSP's more athletic then him, and uh oh he's white....

Seriously i couldn't care less what he says, be interesting to see what he thinks once GSP has finished smashing his face in