It didn't take long for Din Thomas to realize the error of his ways. Thomas, a longtime MMA coach who doubles as a UFC fight analyst, was in Gillian Robertson's corner as she lost a unanimous decision to strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern this past Saturday at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Thomas worked the UFC 330 broadcast leading up to Robertson's fight before stepping away to corner her. Afterward, Thomas returned to the analyst desk for the UFC 330 post-fight show where he announced he was done cornering fighters. "I do have an announcement for you guys," Thomas said. "I told myself I would continue to do this until I took Gillian as far as she could go. I think that might be as far as she can go, and I am officially retiring from cornering fighters tonight. … I'm doing the Matt Serra. I am no longer cornering fighters." Thomas' words did not go over well, with social media reactions pouring in – including from fellow UFC broadcaster Jon Anik – that put him on blast for being classless and distasteful given the timing and manner of his announcement. Less than 48 hours later, Thomas was profusely apologetic as he admitted to going about things the wrong way. "Saturday night was the most inappropriate time for me to bring up the fact that I did not want to corner again," Thomas said Monday on the "Deep Waters" podcast. "It was completely irresponsible. It was despicable. I shouldn't have done it. I should've waited until a different time than take away her moment. This is a young lady that I've worked with for her entire career. The last seven years, it's just been me and her working endlessly, just together traveling, working together. We've been working endlessly time and time again together. I remember her coming to me crying, 'I would just 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." Thomas' apology went further as he used the moment to speak directly to Robertson. "For her: Gillian, I love you," Thomas said. "I've got your back. I've always had your back. This is not the end. I've always had your back. 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." Robertson, 31, competed in her first UFC title fight after 20 octagon appearances. Her loss to Dern snapped a five-fight winning streak. While she came up short, Robertson said in the buildup to UFC 330 what it would've meant for her to win the title for Thomas. "Since I was 15 years old, Din and I have been working together," Robertson said at UFC 330 media day. "I think it really is our belt more than anything else. He's molded me into the fighter that I am today. It would mean the world to me to be able to win that for us."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Din Thomas apologizes to Gillian Robertson for 'despicable' UFC 330 retirement