“They Talked So Much Sh*t About Me….”: Former UFC Heavyweight Champ Slams “Greedy” Dana White and Co. for Making Him Want to “Finish” His Career

Published 07/02/2023, 8:58 AM EDT

During a recent appearance on the Submission Radio show, former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia discussed various topics. Some of which included his UFC career, training at Team Miletich, and intense sparring sessions.

However, the most notable aspect of the conversation revolved around his departure from the UFC and fighter pay in 2023. Sylvia revealed his thoughts on the treatment he received from the UFC management and Dana White, which also echoes the sentiments of many others who have voiced their concerns about fighter pay issues.

Tim Sylvia calls out “greedy” Dana White and UFC for the way he was treated

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Sylvia admitted feeling ‘robbed’ of another chapter in his career. During the interview, he disclosed a miscommunication involving Lorenzo Fertitta. Fertitta mistakenly believed that Sylvia was requesting a higher salary. In reality, Sylvia clarified that he was aiming for performance bonuses. Sylvia stated, “they felt like it made them (UFC) look bad because they talked so much sh*t about me that now we’re going to let him come back.”

Reflecting on his relationship with the UFC since his departure, Sylvia admitted that he had not encountered the management face-to-face. He expressed a lack of care regarding the situation, describing himself as a former employee and referring to the UFC owners as “sh**ty owners” or bosses. “I don’t care… I have nothing to say… We’ve all been online… I was just a general employee and they were sh**ty owners… bosses you could say,” he said.

Sylvia also expressed little surprise at the recent fighter pay controversies within the UFC, stating that he was aware of the organization’s ‘greed’ and lack of care for the fighters. “No I’m not surprised at all, I know the organization and the people running it and they’re greedy and they just don’t care”

UFC and its controversial revenue-sharing model in conflict with fans and fighters

While the UFC has experienced tremendous growth in popularity over the past decade, concerns have kept popping up regarding fighter compensation. While prominent fighters like Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, and Anderson Silva earned substantial incomes, that may not be the case for a lot of other fighters in the promotion.

A report from BloodyElbow indicates that UFC fighters receive a minimal share of the organization’s revenue in 2023. In contrast to major sports leagues like MLB, NFL, and NBA, which offer fighters close to 50% revenue share, the UFC has reportedly maintained a range of 17 to 18 percent for several years.

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The lack of equitable compensation and additional benefits like health insurance and sponsorship deals has raised concerns among fans and fighters. The argument that combat sports athletes, who endure physical harm, deserve a larger share of the revenue, still stands among the community. As the UFC continues to expand, the state of fighter pay remains a subject of debate. Fans and fighters alike express the need for fairer compensation and improved benefits for athletes who put their bodies on the line in competition.

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What are your thoughts on fighter pay issues in UFC? Let us know your views and opinions in the comments below.

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Written by:

Dushyant Patni is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. He fell in love with MMA at the tender age of fourteen and his appreciation for the craft has led him to become a practitioner, too. With a master's degree in English and an extensive background as a writer and editor, he uses his technical ability to articulate the nuances of the sport.

Edited by:

Shibu Immanuel

“They Talked So Much Sh*t About Me….”: Former UFC Heavyweight Champ Slams “Greedy” Dana White and Co. for Making Him Want to “Finish” His Career

Tim Sylvia calls out “greedy” Dana White and UFC for the way he was treated

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UFC and its controversial revenue-sharing model in conflict with fans and fighters