Social media has become a significant part of the sporting landscape. But few, if any, professional sports match the level of interaction and personal access provided by MMA.

In an individual competition in which nearly every athlete is chasing the same goal of financial success and championship glory, it’s important for fighters to provide insight into their lives in order to connect with fans and gain followings.

Although the life of a fighter often can be mundane and repetitive, there still are moments of interest that take place outside the cage, ring or training room. Here are some of the most interesting of those occurrences from the past week.

* * * *

Fallout from George Floyd’s death

View this post on Instagram

I’ve been debating on whether or not I should post about what’s been going on in the world today. Although I’m not black and I’ll never know what it’s like to be a person of color, I’m married to one. My husband is black, and he’s told me countless personal stories of racial incidents he’s experienced throughout his lifetime and what it’s like going through life constantly being judged for his skin color. It saddens me that we live in a world full of such hatred. I dread the day we have kids of our own and they experience their first act of racism in school. Having to teach them as young children to stand tall and ignore the racism, and remind them that they’re loved no matter what! Even though I’ll never know what it’s like, I still experience a form of racism for being married to a black man. Every post on social media I make with him, I receive hate messages and comments of people judging me for being with someone outside of my own race – being called such horrible things I wouldn’t dare repeat. I feel bad for those people, and I usually block them and delete their messages/comments… the looks we sometimes receive from people out in public for being an interracial couple speak for themselves – judgement and disgust. God created each and every one of us on this earth and he loves all of us EQUALLY. We are not born in this world with hate in our hearts, it’s something we learn, and it’s frightening. I love my husband for who he is, regardless of skin color, and I pray for those people in the world who cannot see past it. Jesus called us to love one another, and that’s what we all need to do 🙏🏻 ✝️ #georgefloyd #justiceforgeorgefloyd #racism

A post shared by Colbey Northcutt Daniels (@colbeynorthcutt) on May 30, 2020 at 3:19pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

I have strong feelings and VERY real opinions on what we witnessed regarding this brutal incident. I put myself in this position which I have been in several times with my partners. No matter how much a suspect has pissed me off or angered me, ONCE THE HANDCUFFS ARE ON, IT IS OVER!!!!! Any extra punch or any kind of strike to a handcuffed suspect, “you are a punk and a coward”. Especially if there’s other Officers around you to assist. There are times when a handcuffed suspect still poses a threat and can be combative and dangerous. That’s a real scenario that happens as well and you address it, handle it till the force you use overcomes the suspects resistance. Force is never pretty to witness or use. However it is part of our job to use it when necessary. Let’s not get that twisted. There are more good Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) our there than those punks that shame our credibility and relationships we build with the community. Unfortunately, like every profession, their are also some bad apples. Those are circumstances beyond our control. Some people are just straight stupid and unfortunately some of those turds 💩 are hired. These are the punks that give us a bad name. I won’t apologize for not being politically correct nor apologize for being honest or candid. I’m just speaking from the heart and keeping it real. With that being said, this doesn’t give anyone the right to destroy, burn down or loot the community you live in because you choose to take it out on the innocent who are hard working and have no ties to the incident that sparked this level of ignorance. Especially attacking other LEO’s who are doing their jobs and more than likely feel the same way you do. JUST LIKE ME!!!!!! Please consider that before doing anything you’ll regret. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I’m not telling anyone what to do, however, be smart and do the right thing. God bless you all and be safe everyone. #alllivesmatter #bluelivesmatter #mikebeltran #refereemikebeltran #mma #bjj #wrestling #grappling #ufc #bellator

A post shared by mike_beltran (@referee_mike_beltran) on May 28, 2020 at 11:03am PDT