With prominent present-day UFC fighters in Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal airing their grievances with the company regarding appropriate pay a few former fighters to are coming out over the same. One of these fighters is former UFC Lightweight Championship contender Gray Maynard who revealed it is a long-standing issue and hit out at Dana White.
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Gray Maynard hits out against the UFC and Dana White
The former fighter was answering follower questions on Twitter. One user questioned him on the split he got from PPV’s he fought at. ‘The Bully’ replied, “NOTHING! I never received a PPV split from the UFC. They’ve never played me for the replays of my fights.”
NOTHING! I never received a PPV split from the UFC. They’ve never payed me for the replays of my fights.
I don’t know if you’re allowed to answer, but what kind of split did you get from PPV’s that you were on?
He also revealed the highest contract Dana White offered him for a single fight. This was $42k to show up and win.
Highest contract they ever offered me was $42k to show and $42 to win
You could have just commented and I'd of agreed I was being a bit naive... Surely you progressed from 10k to like 90+k per fight? Layer in your career. Everyone has to grind before they get the big money.
Furthermore, he echoed the message from a tweet in Jon Jones’ recent twitter rant.
“Your pay does improve as you win. But not the type of pay you think. Again UFC pays approximately 18% of the revenue to the fighters.”
Your pay does improve as you win. But not the type of pay you think. Again, UFC pays approximately 18% of the revenue to the fighters
Until you posted this the other day id never even given it thought, i guess as time goes on and your record improves then the pay follows?
Maynard has not fought professionally since walking away from the company at UFC 229. At the event, ‘The Bully’ lost to Nik Lentz in a return to Lightweight after 3 years. The fighter was never the same after his title clashes against Frankie Edgar. He notched up just 3 wins in his last 11 fights after having a 10-0 start to his MMA career.
In one tweet, he says even at this time he couldn’t negotiate. This is because he was given a “take it or leave it” offer.
Wasn’t really any negotiations. Take it or leave it. UFC bought most of the organizations up. I’m just speaking out in hopes for change to help the fighters now. Do you think I should keep my mouth shut and let it continue the way it is. 18% revenue share w/ the athletes
Asking a legitimate question. Why didn’t he bring it up in 2011 when he was in a position to bargain? the money was what it was, seems to me he is seeing what these guys are making today and complaining retroactively. Masvidal is handling his biz now not in a few years.
As a result of his losses, he slipped down the pecking order with someone ready to jump into his place. He replied to a question in this regard too.
“Speaking out as fighters. We need to be transparent as possible. Start thinking about the bigger picture.”
Speaking out as fighters. We need to be transparent as possible. Start thinking about the bigger picture
But then if they refuse to fight theres always someone to step into their shoes, its tough how do you get change
He ends by saying he can speak freely as he is not under contract anymore.
“There’s many variables that go into speaking out against your employer that has you locked into a contract. Im not in contract with the ufc anymore, its a lot easier for me to speak up and share my experiences. Randy couture almost went broke trying to stand up to them back then.”
There’s many variables that go into speaking out against your employer that has you locked into a contract. Im not in contract with the ufc anymore, its a lot easier for me to speak up and share my experiences. Randy couture almost went broke trying to stand up to them back then
No I was curious why it wasn’t an issue back then, maybe it was the lack of coverage back then as well but do you regret not taking a stand against that the way it looks like the guys today are?
What do you make of Gray Maynard’s comments?
