Mistakenly accusing Izzy for being a homophobe is funny as ****. The irony, as there probably isn’t an athlete on the roster who receives more homophobic abuse online.
I don’t mind Izzy’s cringe behavior. In that regard, he’s so unapologetically himself, I kind of have to respect it.
I also think labeling him cocky is misguided. He obviously has supreme self confidence but if you pay attention his respect for his opponents and for martial arts is just as high as his belief in self.
It’s the fight game. Fighters are gonna trump behavior to sell fights and they’re going to lose themselves in moments of pure adrenaline immediately after a win, but look at how Izzy carries himself in the ring post fight, go back and listen to what he said to Pereira in the ring after the lost, listen to his post fight press conferences. He always shows high levels of respect and humility when it’s most important.
Love him or hate he’s all time great fighter and a complex and interesting character and the sport is better for it.