UFC Fighter Asks To Touch African-American ESPN Anchor's Hair, Yells 'That's Real Hair, People!'

Chael Sonnen was on ESPN's "SportsCenter" today to promote his upcoming fight with Jon Jones. And in the middle of one interview, he randomly asked to touch Sage Steele's hair.

After touching the hair, Sonnen turned to the camera and declared, "That's real hair, people!" Even though there was no malicious intent, questioning whether the hair is real is extremely insensitive to Steele and African-American women.

This comment came just after he declared that he would put Jones "on his ass" during their fight.

The UFC has yet to punish Sonnen. But if he was an athlete in one of the major sports leagues, he would probably be facing huge backlash right now.

Here's the video...

[UPDATE] Steele later issued a statement via Twitter in which she took the high road...

Thx for concern-yes-I survived intvw w @sonnench ..he's hysterical! total opposite of @jonnybones who's up next. Hair? I couldn't care less!

— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) April 23, 2013