Some of the United Kingdom’s biggest MMA stars joined forces for a Black Lives Matter protest and demonstration Wednesday in London.
UFC light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa, Bellator standout Michael Page and UFC middleweight Darren Stewart linked up in the England capital city and joined hundreds of people in the streets to protest the death of George Floyd.
Floyd, a black man, was killed this past week after being held down by white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was captured on video pinning Floyd down with a knee on his neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe and begged to be let up.
Floyd’s death has resulted in protests around the world, many of which have been peaceful, but also have resulted in looting and rioting, reportedly largely by individuals not there to protest. The protests made it across the globe, with thousands in the U.K. expressing frustration over their own struggles combatting racism.
Manuwa, Page and Stewart are seen photographed in front of a banner that read “The U.K. is not innocent,” and included the names of victims of police brutality in the U.K.
“Linked up with my fellow London boys @darren_mma@michaelvenompage Nothing changes if nothing changes #blacklivesmatter#londonstandup #allivesmatter ✊🏾”
Other fighters have been actively involved in recent events, with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya speaking at a Black Lives Matter rally in Auckland, New Zealand.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was seen on video taking spray paint canisters off of people, preventing potential vandalism in Albuquerque, N.M., while UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell attempted to tame protestors in Huntington Beach, Calif.
