UFC has been nickel and diming the fighters for a very long time. In spite of having the best fiscal year to date UFC yesterday let the fighters know they would be responsible for the cost of their own Covid testing.
Ariel Helwani broke the story yesterday saying UFC will no longer cover UFC testing expenses:
“As of this weekend’s UFC card, fighters and corners will be responsible for paying for their own COVID testing expenses, I’m told. Up until this point, fighters and corners did a 10-day pre-departure test, domestically and internationally. That was paid for by the UFC. International fighters/corners went to labs, domestic fighters/corners were sent kits. As of this weekend, they are responsible to take and pay for the tests themselves.”
This was a great opportunity to explain to fighters why Unionizing is the only thing that makes sense.
What part of “they have a budget” don’t you people understand? https://t.co/CDdEzHz0Hn
— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) December 16, 2021
Some interesting news re: UFC requiring that fighters pay for their own COVID-19 tests, via @arielhelwani: pic.twitter.com/2Pr7yRmEDA
— Nick Baldwin (@NickBaldwinMMA) December 15, 2021
I’m always amazed by fan loyalty to UFC management. NBA saw a huge boom in business in the 80s & 90s & everyone credits Magic,Bird & Jordan & not Stern & the owners. With the UFC all the credit goes to White, Fertittas & now Endeavor & little for Tito, Liddell, GSP, Brock, etc.
— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) December 15, 2021
This is Zuffa Myth here, but let’s say it’s true, the UFC – with no help from other promoters or the fighters – made MMA a thing. If that’s true, does that mean they should permanently get 90% from the sport? Especially if we’re boasting how they gave fighters a chance for $? https://t.co/VZ2oDPr0yQ
— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) December 15, 2021
Sponsorship was $52m the year before Endeavor acquired the UFC, so five-fold would be $260m Int’ll was $83m so 80% is an additional $66m. (Morgan Stanley had both categories at above $200m for 2021) https://t.co/pKj3veo4eg
— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) December 15, 2021
Following all the backlash and numberless calls to unionize UFC opted to soften their stance. Just today they released a memo designed to make Helwani’s reporting lose credibility. In the new memo UFC chief financial officer attorney Hunter Campbell outlines that fighters will be refunded for cost of testing.
Helwani was quick to respond and point out that this was not always going to be the case.
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Absolutely nothing “irresponsible” or “inaccurate” about my report yesterday. I think proves that. I have physical proof of the then-change in policy. Alas, glad fighters don’t have to pay out of pocket anymore.”
Absolutely nothing “irresponsible” or “inaccurate” about my report yesterday. I think proves that. I have physical proof of the then-change in policy. Alas, glad fighters don’t have to pay out of pocket anymore.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 15, 2021
Since 2014, Benny A. King has been fully immersed in the world of combat sports. Starting with a blog about Greco Roman wrestling, Benny’s passion for combat sports has led him to explore various disciplines.