Andrew Yang Argues UFC Union ‘Long Overdue’

Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Democratic Party presidential candidate and current Forward Party member Andrew Yang isn’t a fan of the way UFC and WWE do business. Back when he was still a hopefu…


Syndication: The Des Moines Register
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Democratic Party presidential candidate and current Forward Party member Andrew Yang isn’t a fan of the way UFC and WWE do business. Back when he was still a hopeful for the 2020 presidential election, Yang criticized UFC for poor fighter pay, as well as cutting Leslie Smith in a retaliatory manner. He also advocated for a fighter union.

It’s been a couple years, but Yang took to Twitter to reiterate his argument for the “long overdue” UFC fighter union. He also talked in detail about WWE and how their athletes are exploited in similar fashion. In both cases, the revenue split is a fundamental issue, and it’s one that is getting more and more attention as of late.

Check out the full post below:

One of the important bits mentioned by Yang is the control UFC and WWE exert over their athletes. UFC fighters have strict uniform and sponsorship requirements that go beyond fight night, and USADA is another year round obligation for athletes. WWE has waffled on blocking their athletes from Cameo and Twitch, a way to monetize outside of the company. It’s a different argument from unionization, but these are key details that could get fighters classified as employees rather than contractors.

As Yang says, it will still take action from inside the roster to bring about change, but seeing as athletes are growing more vocal, perhaps that day is getting closer.