UFC stars revolt over reebok pay

The UFC was hit with a wave of criticism after it confirmed the athlete pay structure for the Reebok outfitter sponsorship. The deal, which is due to come into effect in July, is set leave some fighters substantially out of pocket.

Tim Kennedy, Matt Mitrione, Al Iaquinta and Brendan Schaub were among an outspoken group of UFC athletes who took to social media to voice their displeasure at how much they stand to lose. Payments will range from a mere $2,500 to $40,000 at the top end.

Former Strikeforce middleweight title challenger Kennedy tweeted: “Am I to understand that for my exclusive apparel sponsorship I’ll make $2,500? I’ll pass. Thanks for the generous offer.”

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed athletes can still have sponsors outside the Octagon, but won’t be able to wear their logos during fight week or at any UFC related events.

Zuffa officials also announced another major sponsor could be added to fighter clothing, although that money will be used to cover operating costs for outfitting programs and will not be shared with fighters.

FO SCORE: With fighters claiming to have notched up six-figure sponsorships in the past, it’s no surprise the fallout from the announcement has been brutal. The first six to 12 months of the deal could prove to be monumental for the future of MMA.

Bellator picks up the pieces

Bellator president Scott Coker admitted he received phone calls from both UFC fighters and their management within hours of the UFC’s Reebok rewards structure announcement to discuss potentially signing with the Viacom-owned promotion.

“I will tell you this, the phone’s been ringing. I just tell people, ‘Listen. We’re not going to engage in any kind of dialogue with you on any level unless you’re a free agent. When you’re free, give me a call,’” he told MMAFighting.

“If you’re a free agent and the type of fighter we want then we’re extremely eager. We’re looking for a certain athlete and a certain fighting style. Those are the kind of fighters that we want. If they become free agents, we’ll have a conversation.”

FO SCORE: With Bellator showing no signs of following the UFC’s outfitter policy any time soon, the third-party-sponsor-friendly organization could offer athletes an alternative home where they could keep earning from their established sponsors with exposure on premium cable TV.

4:59, round 5

Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson made UFC history by scoring a submission victory in the final second of the final round against Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC 186.

9th

Jon Jones was the ninth UFC champion to be stripped of his belt. The others were Josh Barnett, Tim Sylvia and Sean Sherk following positive drug tests; Randy Couture, BJ Penn, Murilo Bustamante and Jens Pulver after contract disputes; and Frank Mir due to inactivity. Officially, Dominick Cruz relinquished his bantamweight belt.