Din Thomas owned his mistake after UFC 330.
On Saturday night, Thomas served double duty at the UFC event, working both as an on-air analyst and cornering Gillian Robertson in her strawweight title bid against Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event. Unfortunately, the latter didn’t go so well, as Robertson lost a lackluster decision to Dern. But things got worse afterward, when Thomas announced during the UFC 330 post-show that he was retiring from cornering fighters, in a manner many felt was disrespectful to Robertson.
And Thomas agrees.
On Monday, Thomas, who hosts the UFC’s Deep Waters show on YouTube, addressed the controversy at the start of their show, apologizing to Robertson for his behavior.
“We know how this is: it’s an emotional rollercoaster,” Thomas said. “You’re dealing with the same insecurities, the same highs and lows. Everything leading up to it, you have to deal with all that stuff. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. And I’ve been very vocal about this, that it’s not my favorite thing to do. I’ve tried to quit time and time before. When Tyron Woodley got knocked out by Jake Paul, I was like, ‘Yo, it’s my last time doing this. It’s my last time doing this; I’m not doing this no more.’
“But I took on Gillian, and I have to say, Saturday night was the most inappropriate time to bring up the fact that I did not want to corner again. It was completely irresponsible. It was despicable. I shouldn’t have done it. I should have waited until maybe even today. I should have waited to a different time than take away her moment.”
A respected former fighter and coach, Thomas has worked with Robertson since the beginning of her career, and especially because of that, he says that Robertson deserved better.
“This is a young lady that I’ve worked with for her entire career,” Thomas said. “The last seven years, it’s just been me and her, working endlessly, just together — travelling, working together. They don’t understand that we’ve been working endlessly, time and time again, together.
“I remember her coming to me crying, ‘I would like to win two in a row, three in a row.’ And she went on this amazing run; she’s broken records, and I, selfishly, stole her moment that night. Instead of congratulating her on her run, I stole her moment. And I want to apologize to her for that, because I stole her moment. I was completely wrong. I’m ashamed; I’m embarrassed. But I’m not too big to say I’m sorry.
“And for her, Gillian, I love you. I got your back. I’ve always had your back. This is not the end. I’ve always had your back, and I want you to know I’m always here for you. I’m always going to support you, and whatever you need, I’m always here for you. The same way I’ve been for you for the last seven years when it was just us. …
“It’s been eating at me all weekend. I wish I could have did it sooner, but I couldn’t. I didn’t have the chance to. So, Gillian, I’m sorry. I hope you accept my apology. If it takes however long, that’s how long it takes. But I’m sorry for stealing your moment, and I’m proud of you. Not only for what you’ve done in terms of your run, winning five in a row, getting a title shot, but even that night, coming back and winning the last round. Being able to do that in a title fight. So, I’m sorry. I hope you accept my apology. From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.”
And while he makes no excuses for his actions, Thomas suggested that this whole incident happened because he was still hurting from Robertson’s loss, and then had to go on air.
“In my head, I’m thinking, ‘I’m just trying to get the hell out of here. I don’t want to do this no more. I’m sick of this!’” Thomas said. “… I’m heartbroken, but I’ve got to get on the desk and be objective, as well. And at the same time, I’m thinking to myself, ‘Man, I don’t even like cornering. I just want to go home. I’m trying to get out of here. This is a wrap.’ So, it’s a tough spot. But again, I’m still wrong. I shouldn’t have done that.”