Nicco Montano was not a happy camper after finding out a documentary she was part of showed off her body without permission. The documentary showed her weight cut for her first UFC title defense.
The documentary Warrior Spirit obtained really positive reviews upon its release. It wasn't about the UFC but about how Native Americans are being exploited.
Nicco Montano recently went on MMAFighting‘s The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast to talk about the subject. The former UFC champion was not happy.
“I hear that it’s a great documentary and it’s winning awards and stuff,” Montano said. “But just the fact that the documentary talks about Native Americans being exploited and the whole genocide with the government and how UFC fighters are exploited by the UFC. It’s just very hypocritical for them to be saying all this because I’m definitely exploited here.
“I never said it was OK for me to be exposed on film and when I asked about them taking it down, they just said I don’t know what you’re talking about, it’s a good film, everyone loves how impactful it is. Like OK, you’re deflecting. I still don’t want to be exposed for anyone to see cause I’m not getting any royalties, I’m not getting any kickbacks from this documentary. Like nothing.”
Nicco Montano had trouble understanding why the filmmakers made a documentary about exploiting people and did the same to her. It showed that the UFC was exploiting her but they ended up doing the same.
“I think that was my main concern. They just didn’t have any remorse,” Montano said. “They’re just like ‘well you signed off and it’s part of the film and it makes it more impactful’ but it’s also at my expense. It’s still very hypocritical of them to be demonstrating or showing how they say the UFC is portrayed and they’re doing the same thing to me, knowing I’m not getting paid or any royalties from this at all.
“It was a documentary about my life and what I had to say so I don’t really want to take those parts back. Because it was truthful then and I would definitely love to share my story and my Native American culture but I would also like to give my consent that it’s OK for me to be nude on TV. I never got that chance to even make a choice with that.”
Nicco Montano was released from the UFC a few months ago. It is currently unclear what her future in MMA looks like.
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