While Formula 1 and PDC darts made the contentious decision to scrap "grid girls" and "walk on girls" from their events earlier this year, UFC middleweight champion, Elias Theodorou, is taking a different approach. In the era of #MeToo and Time's Up, a renewed spotlight has been shone on women's experience of sexual harassment and assault in the workplace and beyond. As such, various industries are frantic to ensure they're spared the veritable domino effect which quashed the careers of once-esteemed individuals, such as Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Brett Ratner.
In January, Formula one announced their "grid girls" - the young female models who wear outfits emblazoned with sponsor names, and hold name-boards for drivers - would no longer be used at the racing events. In a statement, the organisation said that the employment of women as "walk-on grid girls" is "at odds with modern day societal norms".
One man, however, has made it his prerogative to reverse societal norms and become a "ring boy" at an upcoming Invicta Fighting Championships event.
Elias Theodorou, the Canadian fighter who won the Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia back in 2014, is turning gender stereotypes on their head and becoming a ring boy at the all-female MMA Invicta Fighting Championship event.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Theodorou shared his story. "I am dropping my YouTube channel, The Mane Event, and the first segment we have is ready to go," he explained. The first one is called ‘Ring Boy’. I was happy enough and very excited to have my ring boy debut. But obviously now I’ve gotten that out of the way I wanted to go to the big leagues. And the big leagues is Invicta."
"So I’m excited to announce that I will be joining as the first-ever ring boy for Invicta 28 in Salt Lake City."
Events usually feature "ring girls", who walk around the cage between rounds in skimpy outfits, holding up cards which tell viewers who is coming up next. Theodorou said that his casting is another example of the sport's willingness to embrace equality. "Mixed martial arts has been at the forefront of equality in many different ways," he asserted. "You can see in regards to women being on top of pay-per-views and selling millions - and also now myself included as the first ring boy."
However, the 29-year-old will also see some commercial success from his new venture. He'll be earning money from sponsors for appearing in the ring, as their names and logos will be emblazoned on his shorts. "I have really large brands that are going to be jumping in," he stated. "I’m the world ambassador for Mattel. They also love the whole idea of the equality and the openness to actually put yourself in this position."
"And I’m actually going to be partnering - if all goes well - with Barbie for ‘Ring Boy’ and I will be ‘Man-Bun Ken’."
And fans of the mixed martial artist shouldn't worry about him hanging up his gloves anytime soon. He's reportedly enjoying his work too much to consider retirement, and is in the middle of campaigning for a bout with the Brazilian former world title challenger, Thales Leites.
"I love mixed martial arts," he said. "I’m a huge believer in the fighter’s journey. I love travelling and training. My last fight was in Australia. I’ve been to Thailand and Brazil and everywhere in between, learning and growing. You only live once, to quote the immortal words of Drake, but I want to build my brand beyond fighting because this is a platform and this is an opportunity."
"And yours truly doesn’t want to get hit in the head forever."
Touché, Elias, Touché.
