“First of all, it’s s**t.”
Well, go ahead and add UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo to the list of fighters voicing disdain for the promotion’s sponsorship and uniform agreement with Reebok.
Speaking about the Reebok deal with Combate (translated by Bloody Elbow’s Lucas Rezende), Aldo says he ‘never thought it was interesting, especially for the champions.’
“Everybody has been talking about it,” said Aldo. “We, athletes, are losing a lot. They said we would be like NBA or NFL athlete, but that doesn’t apply, because we are not paid monthly like they are. It doesn’t matter how much we will be paid, all athletes who had sponsors are losing money.
“That’s a huge setback for us. We live for each fight, we have to keep fighting and nobody fights more than three times a year. Not a champion, anyway. Even the value they measured doesn’t match what our sponsors were paying us. That is great for the UFC, but not for the fighters. I see a lot of athletes losing too much.”
Aldo sounds in favor of unionizing fighters, believing the UFC’s deal with Reebok would never be allowed by a fighters’ association.
“If we are going to talk about something, that does not depend on just me being the champion, or [UFC heavyweight champion] Cain Velasquez, or any other champion,” said Aldo. “If we had a union for fighters, and we were all together, like in the NBA, this would’ve been different, but fighters are not united.
“Today I have a price the event is willing to pay to have me, but there are other fighters out there willing to fight for spare change if I don’t want to, and that is not even their fault. The UFC brought the sport to where it is today, great, that’s their merit. But if athletes were more united and had a union to protect them, I don’t think this would happen.”
Aldo says his complaints aren’t with himself in mind, but for his teammates who have turned to he and his coach Andre Pederneiras for help.
“It gets really bad for up and comers or guys who are trying to reach the top,” said Aldo. “I’m not talking about me, I’m all right, I’m the champion and I have a high price. Aldo hasn’t become the champion now, he has been the champion for years. But for the beginners, it’s really bad.”
Aldo defends his featherweight title to Conor McGregor Jul.11 at UFC 189 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘I want whoever has the title in a couple months.’ Whether it’s Robbie Lawler or Rory MacDonald, Carlos Condit wants to be next for a shot at the UFC’s welterweight title.
No brainer. After a tough fight Saturday with Carlos Condit, Thiago Alves‘ broken nose will likely require surgery.
‘I was battling with my own mind.’ An emotional Melvin Guillard opens up about troubled WSOF run. ‘I didn’t even know if I wanted to fight anymore. I told my wife I didn’t want to fight anymore.’
Sit-down. Despite newfound riches and fame, Conor McGregor explains how he’s still true to himself.
‘Economic crisis.’ Saturday night’s Fight Night headlined by Carlos Condit vs. Thiago Alves set the UFC’s lowest attendance number ever in Brazil with approximately 3,500 fans.
MEDIA STEW
Octagon interviews with Carlos Condit and Charles Oliveira.
Highlights from Condit vs. Alves.
UFC Fight Night: Alves vs. Condit post-fight presser.
Rashad Evans wants one more title run.
Behind the scenes of Ronda Rousey on Entourage.
Quick history lesson on PEDs in MMA.
Long watches.
Submission Radio 31/5/15 Ryan Bader, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Joseph Benavidez + UFC Brazil
…
Fight Night Goiania: Q&A with Bethe Correia and Erick Silva
…
Show Money 4: Does the Reebok deal mean UFC fighters are employees?
TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to UFC Fight Night: Alves vs. Condit.
Victory lap.
Fights done, now I gotta grow the #Beard back 🙂
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) May 31, 2015
Well…….. Victory is nice!! But now i am ready for more lets have a few days to recover and back to evolving #work pic.twitter.com/fPDikiWmBE
— Darren Till (@darrentill2) May 31, 2015
When you’re at rock bottom only has one output, UP!!
Quando se sentir no fundo do poço só tem uma saída, PARA CIMA!! https://t.co/8m8WEu0O6p
— Rony Mariano Bezerra (@RonyJasonMMA) June 1, 2015
I want to thank all in general are so many people that it is even difficult to remember more you can be assured without you would not to everyone who helped me throughout my camp forced family accomplishment go next
Queria agradecer a todas em geral são tantas pessoas que fica até difícil de lembrar mais pode ter… https://t.co/weJjjD9Meg
— JussierFormigaUFC (@JussierFormiga) May 31, 2015
Not 100% satisfied with the fight. I really felt I could finish it but he was always a bit 2 far away and didn’t wanna rush in2 his bombs.
— Nicolas Dalby (@DalbyMMA) May 31, 2015
Thx to all my sponsors, coaches, teammates, family & friends. Can’t stop, won’t stop, @AmericanTopTeam @TheDolceDiet pic.twitter.com/BnNDXUPrHI
— Mirsad Bektic (@MirsadBekticMMA) May 31, 2015
Better luck next time.
Unfortunately it wasn’t my night. But that’s how it is at the highest level of competition. A small setback is a great setup for a bigger comeback! I’ll learn from my mistakes and get a lot better. I won’t stop until I have that belt around my waist! Now back to the grind. Just wanna first thank God for blessing with this life. And a massive THANK YOU to all my fans for the support. And @ufc for this opportunity. I will be back!!!
Infelizmente não foi a minha noite. Mais competição de alto nível é assim não se pode errar. Vou… https://t.co/zopSerGoQE
— Thiago Alves. (@ThiagoAlvesATT) May 31, 2015
My goals and aspirations took a hit today…but I’m far from done or out! Will be back soon! Thanks… https://t.co/rqJDbieO34
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) May 31, 2015
@John_Kavanagh thanks john
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) May 31, 2015
I want to thank all my coaches and family friends, training partners and sponsors
Quero agradecer a todos vcs meus treinadores e parceiros de treino amigos familiares patrocinadores e… https://t.co/RLNme7mu1J
— Wilson Reis (@wilsonreis7) June 1, 2015
High level of competition is so, one can not miss, but it will all learning to serve, the will was greater than the reason, but I’ll come back stronger, !!! Thank God for the health and all for the support !!!!
Competições de alto nível é assim, não se pode errar, mas tudo vai servir de aprendizado, a vontade… https://t.co/4PiD4XStc0
— Lucas Mineiro (@LucasMineiroMMA) June 1, 2015
@ChickfightsRock @ufc thank you. I’ll be back stronger. I promisse.
— Ericka Almeida (@ErickaAlmeidaGT) May 31, 2015
Prof. Varner.
Just landed in #Vegas so excited for this new chapter in my life…. @UFC I’m hoping to touch and change some lives! pic.twitter.com/v7gI1Ha6ug
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) May 31, 2015
#omw 2 #Vegas 4 @ufc #FighterSummit pic.twitter.com/O8lUTJViQU
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) May 31, 2015
No “Mac Mansion” but I can get use to this! Can’t wait to start making that champion bread! I need a… https://t.co/2OrK4K6kcB
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) May 31, 2015
Back in Vegas!!!! @ufc athlete summit im ready for ya! pic.twitter.com/m6JOGM35r9
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) June 1, 2015
#NoDaysOff #ufcsummit pic.twitter.com/CKt4DmnQLg
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) June 1, 2015
Beef.
@PatricioPitbull and @PatrickyPitbull I’d fight both of you in the same night. That’s easy money for me https://t.co/EUxIjKCIAP
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) May 30, 2015
.@illwillbrooks86 start accepting to fight @PatrickyPitbull, tough guy. After he knocks you out, we’ll do it if you recover. @BellatorMMA
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2015
.@illwillbrooks86 do your part now. We have already accepted @PatrickyPitbull @BellatorMMA.
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2015
@illwillbrooks86 @PatricioPitbull @BellatorMMA WWE . pic.twitter.com/j8CpIG5TFA
— Patricky Freire (@PatrickyPitbull) May 30, 2015
Please be careful.
Just in case wreck wasn’t crazy enough, I had to find the sketchy, dark narrow area to dive Love… https://t.co/QG5hH2TObJ
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) May 31, 2015
Fun story.
Dirtbag decides to sexually harass group of females. What he didn’t know was that 2 of the women were MMA fighters…
Posted by Cesar Gracie on Sunday, May 31, 2015
Pretty much.
Every time @CarlosCondit fights I realize I watch his entire fight cringing & with only one eye open. He is beautifully violent #UFCGoainia
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) May 31, 2015
Fucking boring jacksons fighter
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) May 31, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (May 29-31 2015)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via mathias1.
I find it extremely difficult to believe that the deal with Reebok, being such a financial disaster for the fighters, was simply a very poor decision by UFC/Zuffa management.
The deal is SO bad for fighters across the board, that I’m not ready to accept that White and the Fertitas are THAT bad at their jobs.
So, let’s assume we can take White at his word when he originally claimed he wasn’t getting “a dime” of that money. Yes, I know…humor me here.
If we rule out incredible stupidity, and we rule out pure, classic American greed….what’s the final option?
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
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