“This statement is for my family, my friends, my fans and the people who truly know me and know the kind of man I am. I know there are people who will never support me, no matter what I say or do. That’s their choice. But I’m speaking to the people who know me not just as an athlete but as a husband and a father to a young daughter. Prior to and during fight week, an incident from my college years was brought up by my opponent. I believe it was raised to get in my head but it also reopened something that had been addressed years ago. I want to be clear — I did not do anything alleged. I was never charged with a crime and he matter was ultimately dropped by the district attorney. The allegations were not ignored nor brushed aside. They were thoroughly and heavily reviewed as I fully cooperated with law enforcement, including a seprate Title IX review.
“There were no criminal charges, no conviction, and no finding of responsibility against me. The matter was closed and there is no pending legal issue involving me. My own attorney did their own investigation and stated on the record that even if the law was changed, I would have the same outcome, which now speaks for itself.
I understand how serious allegations like this are and I understand that people may hve questions qhen they hear only part of a story. Moving forward, I am going to keep focusing on my wife, my daughter, my family and he work in front of me. To the people who support me, thank you. I know who I am. My family knows who I am. The people who have walked with me through live know who I am. That’s what maters to me and that’s where I’m going to keep my focus.
“As for my opponent, congratulations, you caught me. A mistake on my end was made. It was your night. Just like my wrestling days after my loss, I came bacbk with an undeniable will to win and focus that led me to the top of my sport. The result of Saturday night, I believe, will catapult me to do the same. I will be great and this won’t deny me.”
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