Michael David Smith of Fanhouse was first to recognize the volatile skin art of Finnish fighter Toni Valtonen, uncovered during an HDNet broadcast on Friday: Voltonen, who has a 19-9 record, competed with dressing tape over his “White Pride” and swastika tattoos that eventually worked their way off.
"I had a crazy and rebellious youth, I made some faults in my past and I am not proud of these marks,” Voltonen said in a statement. “I regret that I ever had these tattoos made. Nowadays I am a dedicated family man and professional athlete, and I am not involved in any politics whatsoever." Clearly not -- what could possibly give us that idea?
Voltonen joins a list of athletes in the sport who have appeared sporting highly dubious markings. While I’m all for free speech -- and continue a dogged campaign for my employers to let me utilize “motherf--ker” in an industry where it’s almost a daily necessity -- a certain level of tact should be maintained. I couldn’t get a job as a bank teller or pizza delivery man with “White Pride” on my forehead: why should Voltonen get work in a shirtless job? Have your beliefs, but enjoy the consequences.