“Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue.” If only UFC veteran Andrei Arlovski knew this proverb, he would have avoided infuriating the entire MMA community as a whole. So the controversy began when the heavyweight legend reflected on his 2013 unanimous decision loss to the late great Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson during an interview with David Guttman a few days ago.

However, what he said immediately afterward sounded insensitive at the least and downright heartless at the most. The former UFC heavyweight champion remarked, “Unfortunately judges gave to him a victory. But I’m the winner anyway. He’s dead, I’m alive.” While the host let out a small laugh, the rest of the MMA world didn’t find the remark funny. Johnson passed away from lymphoma in 2022 at just 38 years old, making Arlovski’s words particularly difficult for fans and fellow fighters to accept. The backlash from both active and retired fighters was so huge that it has now prompted the former UFC champion to issue an apology on Instagram.

“Nothing to say, except it was a lesson,” the 47-year-old admitted. “Before the interview going live… I have to check it and F— you to all haters, because they digging to find something bad…. Anyway, it’s easier with Google translate to explain myself. I want to clear something up…. Because I’ve been receiving a lot of hate over something I said in a recent interview about Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Anthony beat me in the Octagon.. that’s a fact, and I have nothing but respect for him as a fighter.

“When I said that, ‘I was still a winner because I’m alive today – yes!’ I never meant that his passing was somehow my victory…. That’s not who I am, and that’s not what I believe. I have fought cancer three times, and three times I had to face an opponent much bigger than anything I have ever faced inside the Octagon. And believe me… when you go through something like that, you understand how precious life really is.”

Arlovski maintained that he was talking about his own gratitude for being alive, not celebrating Johnson’s tragic death. He also suggested that his limited grasp of English played a part in how the remark came across, making it difficult for him to convey what he actually meant.

“English is my second language,” Arlovski clarified. “Sometimes the words that come out of my mouth don’t fully express what’s in my heart or head. I take full responsibility for how my words sounded.

“That’s actually the second time I have to apologize for saying something wrong, and I’m truly sorry for anyone I hurt or offended. Only smart people, who can use brains, especially Anthony’s family and loved ones.”

The former UFC champion then returned to his own cancer battles to explain the message he had intended to convey through his original remark. Arlovski has fought the disease three times, with his most recent battle coming in 2025.

“What I was trying to say is that the greatest victory in life isn’t about winning in a fight. It’s about being alive, being grateful, and having another chance to wake up tomorrow morning.

“None of us know what tomorrow will bring. Not me, not you, nobody. Anthony won our fight. Nothing will ever change that…. Cancer is not a competition; death is not a victory. Life is the gift. Rest in Peace, Anthony Rumble Johnson.”

Arlovski’s explanation made it clear that he wanted to emphasize how precious life was, particularly after surviving his own battles with cancer. But that context also made the original remark even more difficult for many to understand. Johnson had lost his life to the same disease, and fans felt that Arlovski should have been more mindful of the tragedy before making such a comment.

And even after the apology, the backlash did not immediately die down. Retired UFC fighter Gilbert Burns was among those who reacted to Arlovski’s initial remark, expressing his disbelief with a simple “What???” on social media.

Interestingly, Arlovski also mentioned that this was the second time he had apologized for something he said. The 47-year-old did not specify what the other incident was, but in 2019, he had apologized for using homophobic slurs after fans trolled him over the knockout losses in the latter half of his career.

Despite the apology, further condemnation came from a well-known UFC welterweight contender who was particularly disappointed by the way Arlovski spoke about Johnson.

Joaquin Buckley shares disappointment at UFC legend after controversial comment about late Anthony Johnson

Alongside other fighters and fans, Joaquin Buckley was upset by the Belarusian-American’s remarks about the late Anthony Johnson. In a video shared on social media, ‘New Mansa’ highlighted the influence ‘Rumble’ had on his own career, explaining why the former UFC fighter deserved far more respect.

“There’s a lot to say about that video. But I ain’t gonna do that, bruh. Anthony, ‘Rumble’ Johnson baby. I’m talking about that’s the man who have inspired me to be the knockout artist that I’m. But Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson didn’t get the love that was deserved.’ And now we have this individual that’s speaking ill about him and the man gone.”

Buckley then admitted that he was struggling to find the words to describe his reaction, calling Andrei Arlovski’s comments disrespectful to a fighter who had already passed away.

“I don’t know it was a bad idea to make a joke but it just shows you how they really feel about it,” he added. “It shows you the lack of respect that they have for us. To even consider.

“To come out and say something like that. Now, ‘He may have won the fight. But I won, cause he is dead and I’m here.’ Now ya’ll tell me what that is. Cause I got no words for it.”

Arlovski has since attempted to clarify his words and apologized to those he offended, particularly Johnson’s family and loved ones. But with Buckley and several others continuing to express their disappointment, it remains to be seen whether the apology will be enough to put the controversy to rest.

But one point remains: for someone with the record for the most UFC wins in heavyweight history, Arlovski should have chosen his words more carefully, because a slip of the tongue is harder to explain to an angry mob.