On last weeks episode of TUF Nations, Team Australia’s Tyler Manawaroa advanced to the next round after defeating Canadian Nordine Taleb. However, that wasn’t the news that got him noticed this past weekend — a picture that was posted on his Instagram account 18-months back did.
The racial photo caused an uproar on Twitter, especially with fellow housemate and Canadian Kajan Johnson. Manawaroa released a statement of his own on Facebook in which he apologized for those affected.
When all looked to be clear for the undefeated middleweight, the UFC released a statement on Tuesday making it clear that Manawaroa would not have a place under the Zuffa banner in the future.
“The UFC organization had hired an investigation company in Australia to conduct thorough background investigations on potential contestants for The Ultimate Fighter Nations television series. Unfortunately, the background checks did not uncover all of the social media history by contestant Tyler Manawaroa. The UFC is committed to having an environment that is free from discrimination. Consequently, UFC has notified Manawaroa that regardless of how far he advances in the completed television series, the organization will not be offering him a contract to compete in the UFC.”
At 19-years old, Manawaroa is 10-0 in his MMA career.
