The UFC has launched an investigation into conspiracy-theory markings on the gear of one of its cutmen.
Don House, a longtime UFC cutman and boxing trainer, wore patches on his arm and chest during UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas. The patches referenced the fringe internet conspiracy theory QAnon. They could be seen on the event broadcast while House was working on fighter Curtis Blaydes‘ cuts in the corner between rounds of the main event.
“This was a violation of our staff event outfitting policy and the matter will be thoroughly investigated,” the UFC said in a statement to ESPN.
Sources familiar with the situation told ESPN that House did not ask for approval from the UFC to wear the patches and the promotion was unaware of the markings until photos surfaced on social media Monday.
Sources said the UFC does not endorse the sentiments expressed by the patches.
QAnon is a theory born on internet forums that claims a shadowy planned “deep state” coup against President Donald Trump, as well as a widespread human trafficking ring led by “global elites.” There is no evidence to back any of the claims.
In May 2019, an FBI intelligence bulletin from the bureau’s Phoenix field office obtained by Yahoo News mentioned QAnon as one of the conspiracy theories considered a growing threat for domestic terrorism.
House’s patches were not the first time that QAnon has permeated the MMA space. Last week, a flag with the letter Q was spotted on the roof of JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The gym that is home to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm.
The photo of the flag was spotted by Albuquerque city councilor Pat Davis, who tweeted an image of it on June 16.
In a tweet later that day, JacksonWink MMA spokesperson James Hallinan wrote that an “unknown individual defaced the roof” of the gym.
“We immediately removed it & denounce hate/alt-right groups,” Hallinan wrote. “We equally denounce those falsely portraying our extremely diverse & accepting mma gym for their own shameful politics and agendas.”