Strikeforce and Zuffa LLC won't see eye-to-eye on many things, but when it comes to banning the controversial California-based Hoelzer Reich apparel company, both organizations have agreed that there is no place in their respective promotions for them. So a day after Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC and WEC, told Maggie Hendricks of Yahoo!'s CageWriter.com that they have banned their fighters from wearing Hoelzer Reich apparel during the fights, Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz informed FanHouse on Wednesday that the San Jose-based organization laid down the same law.
"We will not permit our fighters to wear this type of apparel in our cage," Afromowitz said. "Strikeforce will not tolerate any offensive behavior at any location or at any time by its fighters."
Hoelzer Reich has been a hot topic in the MMA world for several weeks now, but the situation reached a boiling point when UFC lightweight fighter Joe Brammer was seen wearing their apparel during Saturday night's The Ultimate Fighter Finale broadcast on Spike TV. Strikeforce airs its events on Showtime and CBS.
While the clothing company has repeatedly denied having any affiliation with Nazism, the fact remains that the symbolism used in their shirts resembles many of the imagery commonly associated with Nazi Germany.
Jamie Vine, a co-owner of Hoelzer Reich, issued a statement on the company's Web site, denying affiliation with any kind of hate group and looking to clear the air, but it appears as though when it comes to the MMA world, the damage has already been done.
"The iron cross we use seems to be the focus of much criticism, however, it is a symbol of courage, honor, and leadership. The imagery and symbols we have chosen to use in our clothing line were chosen and referenced from several German and Prussian Military themes, based on our interest of WW1 and WW2 Germany. The Iron Cross, the Prussian Helmet, the German Military collar, and the Peaked Cap are some of the images we referenced. We [of course] removed any swastika's and 'SS' bolts, for the meaning of the German / Prussian soldier to us represents strength & honor, the theme of our line.
" ... Over the last few weeks, we have realized that the general public's sensitivity to our clothing line that has some references of historical German imagery has offended some people, and caused them to make quite the fuss about it on the forums, leading to quite the discussion in the MMA community. The imagery that we reference dates back hundreds of years before Nazi Germany, and we did not realize that the brief association some of the imagery had with Nazi Germany over 70 years ago would still be so sensitive to so many people. Bottom line: we NEVER meant to offend ANYONE. We do not support the Neo Nazi "cause," nor do we promote any racist ideologies."
" ... Over the last few weeks, we have realized that the general public's sensitivity to our clothing line that has some references of historical German imagery has offended some people, and caused them to make quite the fuss about it on the forums, leading to quite the discussion in the MMA community. The imagery that we reference dates back hundreds of years before Nazi Germany, and we did not realize that the brief association some of the imagery had with Nazi Germany over 70 years ago would still be so sensitive to so many people. Bottom line: we NEVER meant to offend ANYONE. We do not support the Neo Nazi "cause," nor do we promote any racist ideologies."
The company used to sponsor WEC fighter Donald Cerrone and Strikeforce's Lyle Beerbohm, among others, but have since removed all images of them wearing their shirts on their Web site. As of Wednesday morning, the only fighter's image on their Web site is that of Marcus Sursa.
The MMA community, particularly those online, should be very proud of themselves today. They, not the organizations, were the first to recognize that they were uncomfortable with the images being associated with the clothing company and they screamed loud enough until the executives in charge took action.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
What a joke. If you're offended by symbols, you're an idiot. Grow up and stop being petty.
Well, I almost want to get offended by your comments. First, you proceed to call whomever an "idiot." And in your very next sentence, lmao, you also tell that person that they should "grow up and stop being petty." Um, really. Sometimes it's best to keep such prosaic comments to oneself.
If something is symbolic of hate, it's NOT okay! ...whether it's a symbol or whatever. I love how your choice of words and thoughts helps you to feel justified in your comments, which does not disqualify the notions of a hateful symbol or group that portrays it.
Shame on the UFC for not looking over all apparel worn in by its fighters. I'm sure things will change now.
nice
Oh but Kain's "Brown Pride" Tattoo is ok
seems to me no one minded when the discovery channel had a jessie james show, didn’t that guy use the iron cross on everything?
pretty selective outrage.
the germans have more than been paying their price in continuum. maybe the star of david should cause outrage for the brutality the jews impose on arabs while taking and settling the arab's land or invading east jerusalem. Killing children for throwing stones and bulldozing arab homes, the trade mark of israel, seems pretty horrible to me. That’s been going on for 60+ years, not 60 years ago. Not to mention the country of separation of church and state, the USA, spends billions of dollars to support an all jewish state that discriminates against Christians and muslims alike in a most brutal fashion. lets ban the star of david for what it stands for.
the n word used to define an ignorant man. with no reference to race whatsoever. thats just the way it is. now you can't say it period. anything remotely associated in ANY way with the nazi's will forever be offensive to most people, jewish or not. and btw, jews have been persecuted for thousands of years. they have a small nation and are surrounded by people who worship a god that says they will find immediate salvation if dying for a holy cause. these people use women and children to hide behind while recklessly hurling rockets with every intention of hitting helpless civilians with no abandon. they would wipe out the jewish nation with the push of a button without thinking twice if they had the chance. people have been trying to wipe out the jews who make up for less than 1% of our world population, and they continue to thrive despite being the most hated culture on the planet. i'm jewish and i can't say i particularly like most jews, they can be annoying, but i am proud of my culture no doubt about it. if the arabs were your neighbors and threw rocks thru your windows and left traps all over your lawn, you'd wanna bulldozer their house down. but if its happening to the jews, then they can throw rockets all they want, its not your problem?? is that how that works??
i agree the "brown pride" tattoo should be covered,if it said "white pride" it would have been a HUGE issue to everybody. there is also alot of truth behind the fact that these symbols,though briefly used to represent nazi's,are not all bad.....for instance the swastica has been around way before Hitler decided to use it as his own the original meaning of a swastica was "peace".....people just like to throw fits about anything they can now days,just let it be already!!!
the meaning of a sign changes, however in the case of this particular brand
their entire style / range is deeply rooted in Nazi Symbolism, including the name. Hijacking powerful imagery and trying to re appropriate it for personal gain is despicable, period... ironically this was exactly what the Nazis did.
isadc15
- Unfortunately it's the existence of un educated dim whits like you that inspire uninspired, offensive tat like this!
the meaning of a sign changes, however in the case of this particular brand
their entire style / range is deeply rooted in Nazi Symbolism, including the name. Hijacking powerful imagery and trying to re appropriate it for personal gain is despicable, period... ironically this was exactly what the Nazis did.
isadc15
- Unfortunately it's the existence of un educated dim whits like you that inspire uninspired, offensive tat like this!
The Iron cross was equivelant to the Medal of Honor it wasn't a symbol of hate.The swastica is one thing. The Iron Cross is a whole different thing. As was mentioned Jesse James uses it on all his stuff and no one has a problem. I think people need something to complain about. The guys don't support hate groups or have symbolism like a swastica so there shouldn't be a problem.
K_wingo why should the UFC have any shame for not catching a symbol that MIGHT be considered offensive?Do you realize what they do to prepare a show?
"The imagery and symbols we have chosen to use in our clothing line were chosen and referenced from several German and Prussian Military themes, based on our interest of WW1 and WW2 Germany ... We [of course] removed any swastika's and 'SS' bolts"
Sounds like a nazi clothing line to me. They would have kept the swastikas and 'ss' bolts if they could have. People have the right to ban this stuff from their audiences and programming, and I'm glad they did.
ey man, thats pretty deep. i'm not political so i really don't have anything to say to all that. i do have some personal experience though. i was born outside of paris in a slum area where many africans and arabs lived. i lived there for 6 years and my best friend was a black boy. i didn't know any difference between race or anything, wasn't taught to dislike anyone. and i've had many experiences growing up being pushed and kicked in the back by arab kids. even one time it happened in the school yard at recess and after i took a little beating i went to the ladies watching over us (arabs) and pleaded crying and hurt and they looked me right in my face without a care on earth. so i did what i always did, told my older brother who'd kick them around 3 at a time. no bs. they were cowards. they'd come by and kick my toy cars or whatever all over the place if i was outside playing alone but stayed far away if my brother was around. they never fought 1 on 1. still not to say thats how they all are, but from my experience were raised to hate and couldn't be trusted. i still don't discriminate. i treat everyone the same. there's good and bad in every culture.
hey btw, did you see the paul williams/ sergio martinez fight?? wow what a fight!
you nailed it pips, no one group has the exclusive on being an az. govts and political agendas are a whole different thing. i could understand where you'd develop an anti arab attitude based on your experiences, seriously. sounnds like you were targeted.
"The MMA community, particularly those online, should be very proud of themselves today. They, not the organizations, were the first to recognize that they were uncomfortable with the images being associated with the clothing company and they screamed loud enough until the executives in charge took action."
Proud? Proud of what? Being grossly ignorant of history? Bizarrely confusing anything German/Prussian military-related from hundreds of years prior to and almost 70 years after Nazi Germany with the Nazis?
The MMA community has nothing to be proud of. The MMA community should be ashamed of itself.
Eric the Mazi's were a political party in Germany. not all Germans were Nazi's.
"The imagery and symbols we have chosen to use in our clothing line were chosen and referenced from several German and Prussian Military themes, based on our interest of WW1 and WW2 Germany ... We [of course] removed any swastika's and 'SS' bolts"
"Sounds like a nazi clothing line to me. They would have kept the swastikas and 'ss' bolts if they could have. People have the right to ban this stuff from their audiences and programming, and I'm glad they did."
WW1 and prior there was no such thing as a Nazi.
I'm 32 and educated ... I know that not all Germans were Nazis.
They have an interest in WW2 Germany as well, and in my opinion they are using Nazi symbolism to sell apparel.
How does it sound like a Nazi clothing line when it has no Nazi symbols. They have German symbols That were used long before WW2 and were not part of the Nazi party symbols.
Yesterday marked the 68th year of the beggining of the failed Japanese reign on my home, the island of Guam! Liberated in 1944, many things still stand of the troubles that America had to go through to end such violence in the pacific! Now living on the islands of Hawaii, many of the same memories still stand strong of what the world had to go through to be what it is today! Are we still sensitive about sh%t like this, you best recognize! More so, positive things in our lives, yes even the GREAT sport of MMA, we recognize the meaning of the GREATer good! Should we have banned symbols like this clothing brand? No if it was more willing to accept the "symbols" history! Totally still used around the world, even if it's lacking the "complete symbols", is still the reason why the world recognizes and RESPECTs that of others! I say, stay strong Jamie Vine and company, just recognize that we do SEE YALL! God bless, play hard, fight harder, train always! Peace
neo, all my responses have disappeared... let me just ask, do you hate me because i am american, and you critize the united states?
ahh, this blows, so did mine.
and unfortunately i didn't save my comment. i wish the moderators would give us some parameters on what is not allowed. it seems anytime i use the word islam they freak out.
all i did was state facts.
anyways, i never said i hate in anyway you, anyone else and especially america. dude, i bleed yankee doodle dandy. and i didn't critize the u.s.a. all i did was state an opinion based in logic and history. my best freind is in the army. my father was a marine and in fact he was the one that opened my eyes to the stupidity of our empty words.
when wrong, i am a patriot enough to stand up and rage against the machine to their madness.
american values are truth justice and honor. unfortunately, we've been conned into darkness that we don't belong.
that is why the only winnable objective at this point is to bring our sons home.
we are not fighting for "our" freedoms, we are fighting against the freedom of others and their free will to choose how they want to live.
this is why i have always said....wars these days should not be fought with troops.....we should put an edict out to the world....
if you mess with us or our freinds, you will be destroyed. period end of story. if you want to kill everyone within your borders, unfortunately, there is really nothing we should do. each country has it's own karma.