Video: Despite best effort, UFC on FOX 12's Matt Brown puts foot in mouth again

SAN JOSE – It appeared as though Matt Brown was trying watch his language – until he put his foot in his mouth once again.

Brown (19-11 MMA, 12-5 UFC) had only answered two questions at today’s UFC on FOX 12 media scrum when he took an opportunity to advertise his restraint, adding, “no cuss words” after a reporter asked him about the stakes of his fight Saturday against Robbie Lawler (23-10 MMA, 8-4 UFC), which serves as a title eliminator.

Good start, considering Brown’s interviews are often dotted with expletives. While those aren’t particularly out of place in a UFC interview, and the 33-year-old UFC welterweight frequently finds creative ways to use them, you could say they’re the gateway to more offensive views, such as those he expressed about women’s fighting earlier this year.

Then, just one question later, Brown seemed to forget any measure of decorum when asked what it would take for him to be a favorite in a fight (he’s currently a 2-1 underdog in most betting lines).

“I anticipate to be a favorite once, I don’t know, maybe I’m champion or something,” he said. “Maybe they put me against some retard or something, I don’t know. That’s irrelevant in my mind.”

Over the past few years, the use of the “R-word” has been blasted by advocates that say it dehumanizes individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In March, an online campaign, “Spread the Word to End the Word,” that considers the word hate speech, marked its sixth anniversary.

Many fans adore “The Immortal” for his lack of forethought and blue-collar attitude, even if it’s forced him to publicly apologize and brought pointed criticism from industry vets. Whether his latest comments prompt the same response from the UFC remains to be seen, but a rep today told MMAjunkie, “We were disappointed with the comment, and we will address it with Matt.”

UFC on FOX 12 takes place Saturday at San Jose’s SAP Center. The event’s main card airs live on FOX following prelims on FOX and UFC Fight Pass.

For more on UFC on FOX 12, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.