Charles Radtke is heading into what he considers “enemy territory” for his fight this Saturday with a clear mission.
The fighter hailing from Illinois is scheduled to face Canadian Mike Malott in a welterweight clash at UFC 315 in Montreal. This bout is notable as the only one on the card featuring an American fighter against a Canadian one. Given recent political tensions between the two neighbouring nations, particularly concerning trade, Radtke was asked at a media event about his feelings regarding the current atmosphere as he prepares to fight Malott.
Specifically, the question posed to Radtke during Wednesday’s media availability touched upon his thoughts on Team Canada’s victory over Team U.S.A. in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off final earlier in February. The question referenced a previous game in that tournament where Canadians notably booed the U.S. national anthem and inquired if this sports rivalry held any personal significance for him.
Radtke dismissed the hockey aspect, stating, “I don’t care about hockey. That’s not my focus.” However, he quickly shifted to something he holds dear: his upbringing on a bison ranch with his grandfather, a Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps. He directly linked the booing of the U.S. anthem to this, declaring, “when you all booed the national anthem, somebody’s going to have to pay for that.” He also pushed back against the idea that Americans booing in return the following week justified the initial action, adding, “Doesn’t make it right.”
He further explained that the anthem incident resonated deeply with him, citing his tradition of replacing 50 flags yearly at his home as a symbol of his respect. He warned the booing would have consequences, stating, “you’re going to see the results of it.”
When asked to deliver a message to the Canadian fans attending the event at Bell Centre on Saturday, Radtke’s reply was notably concise.
His short message to the crowd was simply, “Basically, f*ck you.”
Radtke is not new to encountering negative reactions from crowds. After his successful UFC debut against Blood Diamond at UFC 293 in Sydney, Radtke was met with boos from a crowd largely supporting New Zealand`s Diamond. During that instance, “Chuck Buffalo,” as he is known, used a homophobic slur in response, an action for which he later issued an apology.
Given Malott’s significant popularity in Canada, it is highly probable that Radtke will be met with a similarly unfriendly reception from the Montreal audience. Radtke indicated that he welcomes this.
Addressing the expected hostility with apparent sarcasm, Radtke commented, “I think I’m going to be really nervous. I think I’m going to be really scared coming in there. Is that what you expect? That’s what you hope, right? That’s not going to happen.”
