A number of UFC champions have joined fans in reprimanding UFC coach and analyst Din Thomas.
Following Gillian Robertson loss to Strawweight Champion Mackenzie Dern at UFC 330, Thomas announced on the post show that he was quitting the cornering game.
“I do have an announcement for you guys. I told myself I would continue to do this until I took Gillian as far as she could go; I think that might be as far as she can go and I am officially retiring from cornering fighters tonight. I’m doing the Matt Serra: I’m no longer cornering fighters,” he said. “It’s just, I told myself that I would do this with her. I would see her journey out and take her as far as I think she can go and this might be as far as she can go,” Thomas said on the show.
Fans made their opinions know and so to have current UFC champions including the controversial Sean Strickland, the UFC Middleweight Champion.
Strickland wrote on X: “Din Thomas is a f—–g c–t.. Ive had my ass kicked in multiple weight classes through my career and won two titles… Youre a dick head. Its probably better you retire. Youre a s–t coach. You only lose when you quit… Din sounds like youre a f—–g loser.”
Din Thomas is a f—–g c–t.. Ive had my ass kicked in multiple weight classes through my career and won two titles…
Youre a dick head. Its probably better you retire. Youre a s–t coach.
You only lose when you quit… Din sounds like youre a f—–g loser.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) August 17, 2026
On the UFC’s Deep Waters podcast, Youtube show, Thomas apologized.
“Saturday night was the most inappropriate time to bring up the fact that I did not want to corner again. It was completely irresponsible. It was despicable. I shouldn’t have done it. I should have waited to a different time than take away her moment. I selfishly stole her moment that night. Instead of congratulating her on her run, I stole her moment. I was completely wrong. I’m ashamed. I’m embarrassed but I’m not too big to say I’m sorry.”
He then sent a message to Robertson.
“Gillian, I love you. I got your back. I’ve always had your back. This is not the end. I’m always going to support you and whatever you need I’m always here for you,” he said.
Mackenzie Dern though didn’t put a whole lot of faith in his apology.
On The Ariel Helwani Show, Dern said: “I don’t know why that had to be something public. You could have just told your athlete whatever you wanted to say, not even announced it. They could’ve had their own split for personal reasons but there are some things that don’t need to be shared with the public. The fact that it was something that was put out there, it just wasn’t good etiquette. He came back and said sorry but it doesn’t seem like he really changed what he thinks or what he thought. It’s definitely more about him than her. She came to fight for a title, broke records and doesn’t come from any type of background as I do…she’s gone far, and she’s only 31,” she said about the controversy.
