Joe Rogan has been told not to use the term “rape choke” anymore

UFC President Dana White has taken a lot of heat lately about the inconsistencies in the way that he punishes fighters for different violations outside of the Octagon. Most recently UFC commentator and Fear Factor Host, Joe Rogan revealed on his uStream broadcast that he has been told to no longer use the term “rape choke”, which he most recently used to describe a hold Wanderlei Silva used on Keith Jardine. This may be the start of Dana White beginning to set some real ground rules about acceptable conduct from Zuffa employees.

Early this month, former WEC Bantamweight Champion, Miguel Torres was released from the UFC soon after tweeting a quote from the Television show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
“If a rape van was called a surprise van more women wouldn’t mind going for rides in them. Everyone like surprises.”The internet was quickly in an uproar at the severity of this, most notably due to Dana White’s reaction to similar distasteful comments from Former Light Heavyweight Champions Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin. At the UFC on Fox 2 press conference, Rashad Evans challenged Phil Davis,

“I’ll bet you won’t be able to put your hands on me. I’ll bet you’ll be the first one to take a shot. I guarantee you’ll be the first one to take a shot, ‘cuz I’m gonna put those hands on you worse than that other dude did at Penn State.”

In November Forest Griffin received a small slap on the wrist by comparison when he Tweeted,
“Rape is the new Missionary”

As the UFC begins its ascension into mainstream sports, it is understandable that its employees uphold some standard of conduct. The issue at hand seems to be the UFC’s lack of such standards and rules, and the fact that many of these decisions are made on a per case basis. Dana White himself has been no stranger to similar heat, as he went on a now famous, expletive soaked rant on Sherdog reporter Loretta Hunt. The questions now are raised about what levels on conduct should and do exist for fighters and employees of the UFC. Should they be the same for everyone?

[Via MixedMartialArts.com]