The UFC fighter who said he “doesn’t raise black children” explains why he adopted black sons

After facing criticism for his comments about raising black children, UFC fighter Michael Chandler, who is white, is explaining why he and his wife Brie decided to adopt two African-American boys.

On April 22, Chandler appeared on “Shawn Ryan show” where he discussed his thoughts on identity politics and the way he chooses to raise his two adopted sons, Hap (7) and Ace (2).

“Whether you’re black or white, no matter what your race, there are certain things that come with being a man and being a good man in terms of character and integrity and protecting the vulnerable and supporting those who need it,” Chandler said. adding: “Being person with fame has nothing to do with the colour of your skin. Everything has to do with an individual’s character. This might be not a solution that some would consider essential, however the world has moved on this direction.

While many believed that the 38-year-old’s heart was in the precise place, critics also believed that his parenting techniques would ultimately harm his black children.

On June 7, Chandler appeared as a guest on “The Pivot” podcast, where he addressed the criticism and added context to his previous statements about “not raising black children.”

“I think that bit of audio could obviously be cut out… that five seconds could be cut out and of course I would say, ‘Wait a minute,’ but if you dig into it, the truth is, the color of their skin is not the most important thing about them,” Chandler told co-host and ESPN star Ryan Clark. “And perhaps I’m unsuitable in saying that, perhaps other people would not agree with me. The most vital thing in a person is being a person and the benefits, qualities and characteristics of being man.

Sharing a recording of his meeting with Chandler on X, Clark summarized the conversation: saying“As a black man, I shared my thoughts with Mike during this conversation. I agree with him that skin color isn’t a very powerful feature of his children. Yet many individuals on this country see color. They see it first, and sometimes only. Michael and Brie exude love, but their children should be prepared for the hate their skin color can bring. “I like that they don’t raise children in fear, but when they grow aware of racism and racial prejudice, it can save their lives.”

However, based on Chandler, he ultimately plans to have a difficult conversation when the time comes.

“Of course, part of it is also that if I had done this interview and my sons were 14 and 11, the situation would have been a little bit different,” Chandler said. “I have a 2-year-old and a 7-year-old. So maybe this question will be answered in five years or… you know, my son Hap is 7 now, so we’re heading in that direction, but he’s always been just a little kid, and then Ace is just a little kid. There is always an age-appropriate script.”

Later within the conversation, “The Pivot” co-host Channing Crowder asked Chandler to speak concerning the adoption process and what led him and his wife to make a decision to adopt black children over white children. According to Chandler, his wife was the primary reason they began considering adoption.

“My wife has wanted to adopt an African-American boy since she was a teenager. My wife has had this on her mind since she was a teenager,” Chandler said. “I remember she did missionary work downtown and went with my dad to Jamaica for missions. Everyone knew he would eventually do it sooner or later. And she all the time said that if “I marry a good man, I want to do it.”

Chandler admitted that it took him a while to recover from the adoption.

“It was foreign to me,” Chandler said when he first learned his wife desired to adopt black children. “I never really thought of it. I all the time thought I might have children like me. … They’re white kids with brown eyes, blue eyes… whatever.

The couple welcomed their first adoptive son, Hap, in 2017 and adopted Ace in 2022. According to Chandler, Hap’s adoption process took a couple of yr, nevertheless it only took six minutes to match them together.

In 2017, Chandler recalled that he burst into tears shortly after first seeing a photograph of his 9-month-old son, Hap.

“We desired to have a newborn by six months. It’s just funny how you may have your preferences and plans after which suddenly God just says no. He was nine months old. They sent us an image of him and as soon as I saw it, I felt it inside and began crying. I assumed to myself, ‘That’s my son,'” Chandler said in an interview with MMA fight.

Pivot co-host and former NFL quarterback Fred Taylor expressed his support for Chandler and applauded him for being in his kid’s lives and showing them love.

“When we look at little Black boys in our community and how we grew up in certain demographics, there is often no father figure or head of household.” Taylor said. “So no matter what these people say and what nonsense they try to throw at the wall, you are present for your children and you love them with all your heart.”

Chandler is scheduled to return to the Octagon on June 29 when he faces Conor McGregor at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.