The relationship with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Reebok is still coming under fire from fighters, months after the landmark deal went into full effect.
While most of the negativity stems from the lack of dollars coming to the athletes — due to the elimination of outside sponsorship deals — another can of worms was opened after fines started occurring for noncompliance of the uniform policy.
Just don’t ask the big boss for a box of tissues.
As UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta sees it, there is no reason for any fighter to not comply with the rules. And just like kids not wearing their proper uniforms to school, you get detention. Or in this case, you get docked pay.
His words to Boston Herald (via MMA Fighting):
“I think it’s not fair for fighters not to comply with the outfitting policy. It’s a very, very small minority of athletes that haven’t complied so far. It’s like when you went to school, you know? Some people get detention for being out of uniform. It’s not that hard. Tuck your shirt in.”
Donald Cerrone — who has long been one of the hardest working men on the UFC roster — was the first to be fined for noncompliance, as he was docked a hefty amount of coin for wearing a patch on his fight night shorts a few weeks ago.
On the same night, Nate Diaz also lost out on some pay for wearing jeans to the weigh-ins. So, too, was Rafael dos Anjos, who wore a non-Reebok shirt before he hit the scale in Florida.
Of course, all fighters are now fully aware of just what kind of financial repercussions await them should they violate the dress code moving forward. Some, like “Cowboy” Cerrone, don’t seem to care and will continue to violate it when they see fit.