MANILA, Philippines – Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light-heavyweight champion “Suga” Rashad Evans last week spoke out in support of same-sex marriage, saying he has a “duty” to support gay rights.

According to outsports, Evans has added his name to the list of athletes urging the United States Supreme Court to overturn a ban on same-sex marriage. 

In a statement, Evans explained his decision to speak out.

“I’m a UFC fighter, a macho type sport. I am a heterosexual guy in a tough, macho sport, which is exactly the reason I feel a duty to say I support gay marriage and gay rights,” he said.

“What people overlook is that this isn’t a sex issue, it’s a love issue. There’s no justifiable reason for trying to get in the way of two people who love each other,” Evans stressed.

Evans said he does not want his children to grow up “in a society where they, or their friends, could be second class citizens based on which person they fall in love with or who they want to be happy with.”

The former UFC champion also pointed out that he has “nothing to gain personally from supporting this issue, and that’s the point.”

“Society as a whole is better when there is equality, and I want to live in a country where everyone has the same rights because we all benefit from that,” Evans said.

UFC president Dana White has said he believes the company is ready for a gay fighter. Openly lesbian fighter Liz Carmouche recently competed against champion Ronda Rousey in the first female fight in UFC history.