Former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate admits she didn't mean to offend anyone with her comments about OnlyFans whilst backing her pornstar friend Kendra Lust.
After uploading a YouTube video discussing her plans to switch from bantamweight to flyweight, Tate was asked by a user if she would ever consider starting an OnlyFans account.
Several past and present UFC fighters such Paige VanZant, Julia Avila and Felice Herrig have all started their own fan sites in which users can pay a fee to access exclusive content.
But Tate shut down the idea, replying to the user: "No. Where in this video did I say I was desperate?"
'Cupcake' received backlash for her reply but has since apologised and stated she didn't intend to demean fellow fighters who have started OnlyFans accounts.
"I am truly sorry I have friends the industry and I support that 100%. In no way shape or form was it my intention to put anyone down," she said.
"I am only human I let someone make me mad and what I said to them was not a rep of how I feel about this as a whole
It’s the times we live in i can’t do anything but apologize for something I didn’t intend to be taken the way it was taken.
"The headlines don’t quote me only one word I used and purposely took it out of context. I’ve always taken this stance publicly. Ask Kendra Lust, she's my fav.
Lust - who hosts an MMA podcast with UFC middleweight Julian Marquez - backed up Tate's claim that she didn't mean to offend anyone with her comments.
"I know Miesha she is a friend .. i know how she said it came off .. but i know thats not how she meant it. She has supported me always," she wrote."
"I believe her Miesha is one the sweetest that would never intentionally put down other women for there career choices because its adult."
What did you make of Tate's comments about OnlyFans? Let us know in the comments section below
Tate returned to the UFC last year after five years away from the cage, stopping Marion Reneau in her return fight but later losing to Ketlen Vieira.
She is expected to make her flyweight debut on a Fight Night card in May against former title challenger Lauren Murphy.
Bantamweight fighter Avila had labelled Tate's comments as " aggravating " but vowed to give the former champion the benefit of the doubt.
“This is aggravating. Yes women have an OnlyFans and what of it? Maybe they want attention. Maybe they want an extra dollar," she said.
“I really hope that this was taken out of context because I’ve always respected her as a role model for other people, so I’ll give the benefit of a doubt.”