Dariush not allowed to use the Assyrian People flag

[conorbless1]

Apparently the UFC now has a policy to only allow athletes to use the flags of internationally recognized states (bad news for athletes from places like Kosovo, Palestine and Taiwan, I suppose)

• beneildariushI was not allowed to walk out with my Assyrian/American flag because of the new UFC policy which only allows countries currently recognized. Even though I was very disappointed with the new ruling, the UFC staff told me that they would review the Assyrian flag and let me know if I would be allowed to use it next time. I was grateful I was able to take this picture after my fight. #assyrian #american#ALLGLORYTOGOD

 

[charalsias]

Shame on them!

 

[Big_Chief_Stove]

Apparently the UFC now has a policy to only allow athletes to use the flags of internationally recognized states (bad news for athletes from places like Kosovo, Palestine and Taiwan, I suppose)

People should be able to use whatever flag they want.

 

[Oedad]

Completely reasonable. If a fighter can demand some unrecognized pseudo nation why can't x represent their state,city,micro-nation, imaginary homeland. You'd have reebok printing out 500 different logos for prelim bums.

 

[dim_]

strange, theyve allowed the kurdish flag since the reebok deal im pretty sure

 

[Coolidge]

Completely reasonable. If a fighter can demand some unrecognized pseudo nation why can't x represent their state,city,micro-nation, imaginary homeland. You'd have reebok printing out 500 different logos for prelim bums.

50% of which would be misspelled.

 

[Oedad]

People should be able to use whatever flag they want.

I think this is more about having it represented on their official gear, and in their tale of the tape. It'd be pretty hard and a burden looking up the symbols and creating designs of all these unrecognized pseudo-states that have no real official governing bodies or flags.

If the guy actually wants to bring his flag with him I don't think that is a problem.

 

[conorbless1]

strange, theyve allowed the kurdish flag since the reebok deal im pretty sure

I wonder what list the UFC is using. Will they only allow flags from member states of the UN, states the US recognize etc? Just seems like a weird policy.

 

[AronaBeatsJones]

Even Mussolini and Hitler are confused.

 

[FeloniousMonk]

Fucking lame.
Selective symbolism.

Either allow them all or
don't allow any. It's just a flag.
If the fighter isn't a criminal or
a hateful nationalist, then who
gives a shit? Let them be proud
over whatever the fuck they want.

 

[basementdweller]

I think this is more about having it represented on their official gear, and in their tale of the tape. It'd be pretty hard and a burden looking up the symbols and creating designs of all these unrecognized pseudo-states that have no real official governing bodies or flags.

If the guy actually wants to bring his flag with him I don't think that is a problem.

It probably is political though.

 

[conorbless1]

Fucking lame.
Selective symbolism.

Either allow them all or
don't allow any. It's just a flag.
If the fighter isn't a criminal or
a hateful nationalist, then who
gives a shit? Let them be proud
over whatever the fuck they want.

I think the UFC doesn't want athletes using the promotion as a political platform. In any case, I think you're right. Where do you draw the line? Kosovo is recognized by the US and is a member of the International Olympic Committee. But Serbia and many states do not recognize it and Kosovo is not a UN member state. So would they allow an athlete from Kosovo to use the flag?

 

[Big_Chief_Stove]

I think this is more about having it represented on their official gear, and in their tale of the tape. It'd be pretty hard and a burden looking up the symbols and creating designs of all these unrecognized pseudo-states that have no real official governing bodies or flags.

If the guy actually wants to bring his flag with him I don't think that is a problem.

its 2016, it wouldn't be that hard.

 

[KhabibTheBeagle]

Fighters should be able to don flags with their face on them if they want. As long as it's not affiliated with a terror/hate group.

 

[faustian]

I'm gravely offended by this

 

[melvinj0]

They should ban the american flag, it's tacky.

 

[Weidman]

 

[FeloniousMonk]

Where do you draw the line?

You draw 13 of em. & you draw em
right on the side of those stars

If ya know what's good for ya!

 

[superpunch]

Completely reasonable. If a fighter can demand some unrecognized pseudo nation why can't x represent their state,city,micro-nation, imaginary homeland. You'd have reebok printing out 500 different logos for prelim bums.

Thatd be sick. How cool would it be for an Italian guy to represent the Roman Empire or a Greek to represent Sparta?

Damn im American and Id represent Sparta. The Spartans had olympic pankration champions. Their legacy deserves a UFC champion too.

 

[johncola]

I think the best course of action for the UFC would be to allow whatever causes the least offense. They should just do some research then make a ruling. They should also consider other potential cases popping up for different places, e.g. Kurdistan, Dagestan, Chechnya