John Cholish, Jacob Volkmann and Jason “Mayhem” Miller have all lambasted the UFC for its low fighter wage scale in recent months. The thing is, all three men were either cut or retired when they made those claims, which opened the door to the inevitable knee-jerk counterargument of, ‘Well you’re just bitter,’ from UFC President Dana White.
Tim Kennedy, however, is neither cut nor retired. In fact, the United States Special Forces Operator is scheduled to make his UFC debut in a just few short weeks against Roger Gracie. But in the meantime, he didn’t do himself any favors.
“It’s pathetic that so many fighters [have to have other jobs],” Kennedy said to the GrappleTalk podcast.
“I’m one of the three percent of guys (signed by the UFC) in the whole entire sport and it would be slim pickings to survive off what I make in fighting.
“It’s a good thing I have another job because the UFC doesn’t pay very well.”
Kennedy went on to break down his expected purse from UFC 162, which caps out at $70,000 with a victory. According to his figures, Kennedy will relinquish a minimum of 59-percent of his fight purse after expenses, and “would only pocket around $20,000” before taxes.
Kennedy’s claims echo similar sentiments made by Cholish, who revealed that he actually lost several thousand dollars after taxes and expenses to fight Gleison Tibau at UFC on FX 8.
“Anybody who accepts [fighters being underpaid] as a reality of the sport is sad and pathetic,” Kennedy said in closing. “I hope this isn’t the reality of the sport. If it is I should probably go do something else, like empty trash cans. I’d make more money than I do now.”
4 MUST-READ STORIES
Kennedy rips fighter pay. Tim Kennedy scoffed at the state of fighter pay in mixed martial arts during an interview with GrappleTalk podcast. Kennedy broke down his expected earnings at UFC 162, referred to the UFC’s wage scale as “pathetic,” then stated that he’d make more money becoming a trash collector.
Alvarez update. Oh boy. According to a report from MMA Junkie, Eddie Alvarez and Bellator MMA aren’t “required to see each other in court until after Sept. 15, 2014, when a pre-trial conference may take place,” which effectively means that Alvarez could be sidelined for up to two years of his prime before any resolution even begins to be discussed.
Schilt retires. Top-ranked heavyweight kickboxer Semmy Schilt retired from competition due to a heart condition, according to a report by LiverKick.com. Schilt retires as one of — if not the — greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all-time, with four K-1 World Grand Prix Championships, the 2012 Glory Grand Slam and a Glory heavyweight title to his name. Schilt also racked up a 26-14-1 MMA record since debuting in 1996.
Grant not happy with Pettis. Speaking to The Telegraph, T.J. Grant said of Anthony Pettis’ attempts to steal his UFC 164 title shot: “I didn’t want to get into the whole talking thing. I got here legitimately and earned it. Ultimately, what he was saying was that he wanted my title shot, which was incredibly disrespectful. It was pretty dirty.”
MEDIA STEW
There’s 100 little gems in E. Casey Leydon’s superb WAR MMA mini-doc, but let’s run down a quick top-5, in no order: 1.) 4:35 – “He’s one of the best heavyweights in the world, dude. And he’s standing, like, one foot from you.” 2.) Said to the fella holding a big ol’ bong at 10:05, “Dude, you are so far behind on your thinking on this. Stop talking. Please. It pains me. Stop it. Don’t talk. You’re not going to talk for a while.” 3.) 12:00 – “Resin?” “It’s stronger than weed.” “Ugh.” “You don’t want it?” “No.” 4.) Tweedale’s broad smile at 14:00 once everything finally comes together. And of course, 5.) 11:05 – Double bird salute. Welp, my work’s done. Better take a bong rip.
The lesson, folks? You tag Uriah Hall, he’s probably going to tag you back.
One-on-one with the master:
Overheard in 2000: “Well, Jose Barreto, you gave it your best try. Who knows? Maybe that other guy will amount to something someday.”
Roger Gracie debuts in the UFC next week against, wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Tim Kennedy. Check out this mini-doc to learn more about the fourth Gracie to ever grace the Octagon. (Eh, see what I did there?)
Miesha Tate dying her hair blonde would be a weirdly big story for some reason.
SOUNDS KIND OF FAMILIAR…
@MarketingPro13 We don’t have a choice in the matter. #Monopoly
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) June 26, 2013
A COUNTERPOINT
Big big thank you to @danawhite @lorenzofertitta and @ufc for going above and beyond and paying me more than contracted
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 20, 2013
TODAY’S TWITTER BEEF AWARD GOES TO…
@patmiletich @famousinsd I haven’t ever attempted to obtain Russian citizenship. Know your facts before you accuse
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 25, 2013
@patmiletich I have plans for in Russia upcoming. Didn’t realize you were so interested in my place of residence. The one sure thing about..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd …you that I can set a watch by is that you will be quick to criticize, judge, and condemn. You will stand on..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd ..your soapbox and have no concern or empathy for anyone who doesn’t not have the same beliefs as you. As you so..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd …compassionately stated there are no rules in war. So the holocaust, atomic bombs, and torture are all ok for..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd ..you since you can justify it all. What is most mind boggling is you have no knowledge about what you speak. When
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd ..you get backed in a corner you just start firing accusations and labeling. I took bible class on Sundays too..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd .. The difference is I didn’t stop my education about the world at that point like you. I asked questions,..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd ..investigated, took classes, and most of all when I visited places I looked around and tried to see world through.
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd another point of view. Your opinion doesn’t mean a thing because it comes from a narrow minded, uneducated, ..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd ..and ignorant stance. You don’t have the ability nor do you even want to incorporate new information into your..
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd ..your worldview. You learned all you need to know by age 5 and it’s obvious you’ve quit learning since then…
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @famousinsd ..until you read some books on history and current events don’t waste my time corresponding with me
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
@patmiletich @slikk82 exact response I predicted.. You know nothing. You have no facts, just an intolerable, uneducated opinion. So insult.
— Jeff Monson (@JeffMonson) June 26, 2013
Big props to @IrrelevantAnth for the find.
O_O
Found this kitties sweet spot. Conveniently located directly opposite of its crushing jaws. #Phuket… http://t.co/8QItTbo82B
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) June 15, 2013
Things weren’t great from the start with my new avatar. We finally worked it all out though. 😉 pic.twitter.com/gVBa1D8ocE
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) June 25, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Tuesday, June 25, 2013):
- N/A
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day sees NickPT break down: UFC 162: Chris Weidman’s Return from Shoulder Surgery
Chris Weidman is set to return to the Octagon July 6th at UFC 162, when he squares off against Anderson Silva for the middleweight title. Weidman last saw action in the Octagon one year ago at UFC on Fuel TV 4, when he knocked out Mark Munoz in the second round. Chris underwent surgery in November 2012 to repair an injury to his right shoulder,
In a December 2012 interview, Weidman indicates that he injured the shoulder “doing routine wrestling” with a team mate, went for a double leg takedown and landed “really weird” on the shoulder. He suffered a torn labrum, a torn rotator cuff, and an AC joint separation. He also notes there “was a ligament in there that was slightly torn.”
This is a lot of damage from a single traumatic injury. A dislocation of the shoulder joint could explain the torn labrum and torn rotator cuff, and the AC joint separation probably occurred due to direct impact on the outside of the shoulder. (Weidman describes the injury as a “hard slam.”) By the time his fight with Silva comes around, Weidman will have a full seven months of rehab under his belt, and his shoulder should be at full strength.
If you are interested in what surgery is like for a torn labrum, check out this video. It is a bit technical, but is a great demonstration of what can be done through an arthroscope.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.