“I See a Company Trying to Take Away Rights of Fighters” – UFC & Dana White Slammed for New Contract Restrictions That Led to Francis Ngannou Exit

Published 02/13/2023, 2:23 AM EST

While the UFC is receiving praise for putting on events like UFC 284, it is also under fire for its latest contract modifications. The promotion began the year by parting ways with its biggest, baddest champion, Francis Ngannou. The heavyweight left the company after failed negotiations over a new contract. Following his exit, the promotion finalized a bout between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title.

However, news of the latest contract stipulations has the promotion under severe scrutiny once more. Fans and pros are slamming the promotion for trying to impose more restrictions on fighters and curtail their freedoms.

Recently, veteran MMA referee John McCarthy sounded off on the issue. The 60-year-old did not hold back on his criticism of the promotion as he took the side of the fighters.

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‘Big’ John McCarthy sounds off on the latest UFC contracts news

On the latest episode of ‘Weighing In’, McCarthy discussed the latest UFC contract news with former UFC lightweight Josh Thomson. The former UFC official was critical of the company’s attempt to restrict fighters from taking legal action against the promotion.

He said, “I see a company trying to take away rights of fighters instead of giving them more rights like people are asking. Guys, why do you think Francis Ngannou left? These are the things. It’s little things that add up to big things in the end.”

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The Bellator MMA commentator also tried viewing things from the company’s perspective. He observed how the promotion would not want the fighters to come out in class action lawsuits. He mentioned the existing class action lawsuit and therefore understood why the UFC wanted to put such restrictions on fighters’ contracts.

However, he added, “I totally understand it, but you’re trying to take away the rights of the fighters by adding these things in there.”

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Watch This Story– Jon Jones’ UFC deal compared to Francis Ngannou and Brock Lesnar

What are your thoughts on the UFC’s new supposed contract restrictions? Do you agree with John McCarthy’s statements? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Yeswanth Praveen is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. His interests mainly lie in the realm of MMA, bodybuilding, and the fitness industry. He finished his Master's in English literature from EFLU, Hyderabad.

Edited by:

Rohini Kottu

“I See a Company Trying to Take Away Rights of Fighters” – UFC & Dana White Slammed for New Contract Restrictions That Led to Francis Ngannou Exit

‘Big’ John McCarthy sounds off on the latest UFC contracts news

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