Tag: Dana White

Ken Shamrock Rips Dana White on Twitter over Fighter Pay

Ken Shamrock voiced his displeasure about fighter treatment and pay Monday evening on Twitter, calling out UFC President Dana White in the process. 
After receiving the above YouTube video in a tweet (h/t MMAjunkie.com) from a concerned fan, Shamr…

Ken Shamrock voiced his displeasure about fighter treatment and pay Monday evening on Twitter, calling out UFC President Dana White in the process. 

After receiving the above YouTube video in a tweet (h/t MMAjunkie.com) from a concerned fan, Shamrock and UFC Hall of Fame inductee Randy Couture chimed in on the topic, echoing the video’s sentiments about fighter pay. 

 

 

While Couture sounded off first, Shamrock promptly took the mic and commanded it for the remainder of the set, as he touched upon fighter pay and the overall lack of respect fighters receive from White. 

So what [you’re] saying is that the fighters did not make the ufc what it is today, that disrespectful promoter did all of that. Wow, what a smart guy you are. Why didn’t I think of that? Who needs fighters when you can just disrespect the guys who made your promotion and talk trash and make loads of money and not give what is partially the fighters money.

This is not uncharted land for Shamrock. 

In an April 2013 video filmed for The FightNetwork, Shamrock used firsthand experience and observations to make these claims: 

I don’t like to see people get taken advantage of, and I speak my mind when I see something wrong and other people are being hurt…I’ve seen things that are wrong. I see the lies that are being told. I know the money that is being made, and I know that people are being lied to…There’s more money being made there, and they’re lying to people about the money being made. 

A 2012 ESPN article detailed fighters’ reluctance to discuss fighter pay, saying that the topic activates their “flight instincts.” 

On the other hand, legends like Chuck Liddell have spoken candidly on the subject, concluding that the pay scale is more than fair for fighters, while White himself consistently tosses positive metrics back in the faces of critics. 

The fact that fighter pay is a recurring theme—one that we’ve seen discussed for years—tells me that the situation is not perfect.

While Shamrock and Couture are not exactly UFC advocates at this point in their respective careers, ex-UFC fighters like Jon Fitch, Jacob Volkmann and John Cholish have also expressed their discontent with the organization’s pay scale. 

There is no doubt that the top fighters enjoy significantly steeper pay grades than undercard inhabitants, but, as Liddell points out, those who continue to win impressively will reap the rewards. 

Shamrock, still displeased by the video and the ensuing conversation it spawned, capped off his tirade by reminding White where to direct the credit for his successes: 

 

 

Whose corner do you find yourself backing? Does each side make a relevant point concerning fighter treatment and pay? 

Sound off, and we’ll discuss this ever-burning issue. 

 

Like MMA, heavy metal and life’s absurdities? 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Fight Booking Alert: Pat Barry vs. Soa Palelei on for UFC Dec. 7 Australia Card


(UFC Heavyweight Pat Barry | Photo by Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

The UFC Fight Night 33 card taking place this December in Brisbane, Australia has just picked up its third match up as heavyweights Pat Barry and Soa Palelei are now set to face one another. Barry is coming off a TKO loss to Shawn Jordan at UFC 161 this past June and Palelei off a UFC debut win just over two weeks ago at UFC 164.

Palelei’s win is almost being treated like a loss by some, notably UFC President Dana White who, after UFC 164, criticized Palelei’s bout with Nikita Krylov saying that the fight was a poor representation of what UFC-level fighting is, calling the fight “sloppy” and the fighters poorly conditioned. We can’t yet know what kind of shape Barry and Palelei will come in to their fight in but we can make an educated guess that at least Barry will make the bout exciting.

Also already booked on the Brisbane card is Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. James Te Huna and Antonio Silva vs. Mark Hunt.

– Elias Cepeda


(UFC Heavyweight Pat Barry | Photo by Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

The UFC Fight Night 33 card taking place this December in Brisbane, Australia has just picked up its third match up as heavyweights Pat Barry and Soa Palelei are now set to face one another. Barry is coming off a TKO loss to Shawn Jordan at UFC 161 this past June and Palelei off a UFC debut win just over two weeks ago at UFC 164.

Palelei’s win is almost being treated like a loss by some, notably UFC President Dana White who, after UFC 164, criticized Palelei’s bout with Nikita Krylov saying that the fight was a poor representation of what UFC-level fighting is, calling the fight “sloppy” and the fighters poorly conditioned. We can’t yet know what kind of shape Barry and Palelei will come in to their fight in but we can make an educated guess that at least Barry will make the bout exciting.

Also already booked on the Brisbane card is Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. James Te Huna and Antonio Silva vs. Mark Hunt.

– Elias Cepeda

UFC Benevolent of the Day: Dana White Pays for Injured TUF 18 Tim Gorman’s Hamstring Surgery, Offers ‘Shot’ in Promotion


(No, that is not a lady’s hind quarters. It is Tim Gorman’s injured leg. And, some really fancy shorts. | Photo via @TimmyGormanMMA)

This week we learned that in addition to being a cocky loud mouth, The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 (TUF 18) cast member Tim Gorman, is also a committed, tough s.o.b. The male bantamweight tore a hamstring clear off before getting his chance to fight his way into the TUF house, still fought, won and looked to move through the season.

Meisha Tate and her coaching staff noticed that Gorman was hobbling around during early practices and asked him to explain, at which point he showed the results of his nasty injury (also photographed up top). Gorman was forced to get an M.R.I. scan, which confirmed that his hamstring was royally screwed and Dana White made him leave the TUF House over the fighter’s protests. Which, of course, led to this freeloading no goodnik getting another chance.

During a google hangout Thursday White told fans that Gorman will also get another chance in the UFC, however. “The kid’s a nutball, he’s a lunatic,” Uncle Dana said. “I like that, that’s not a bad thing. He wanted to continue to fight, I respect that. He’ll get another shot in the UFC, we’ll give him a shot.”

Great news for Gorman. Even better, Timmy went on The Underground forum and wrote that White personally paid for his much-needed hamstring surgery. The UFC’s health insurance policy didn’t cover Gorman’s medical procedures because they were treatment for a “pre-existing” condition, ie. he hurt himself before he stepped into the Octagon or UFC Training Center.

Gorman’s UG post below:


(No, that is not a lady’s hind quarters. It is Tim Gorman’s injured leg. And, some really fancy shorts. | Photo via @TimmyGormanMMA)

This week we learned that in addition to being a cocky loud mouth, The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 (TUF 18) cast member Tim Gorman, is also a committed, tough s.o.b. The male bantamweight tore a hamstring clear off before getting his chance to fight his way into the TUF house, still fought, won and looked to move through the season.

Meisha Tate and her coaching staff noticed that Gorman was hobbling around during early practices and asked him to explain, at which point he showed the results of his nasty injury (also photographed up top). Gorman was forced to get an M.R.I. scan, which confirmed that his hamstring was royally screwed and Dana White made him leave the TUF House over the fighter’s protests. Which, of course, led to this freeloading no goodnik getting another chance.

During a google hangout Thursday White told fans that Gorman will also get another chance in the UFC, however. “The kid’s a nutball, he’s a lunatic,” Uncle Dana said. “I like that, that’s not a bad thing. He wanted to continue to fight, I respect that. He’ll get another shot in the UFC, we’ll give him a shot.”

Great news for Gorman. Even better, Timmy went on The Underground forum and wrote that White personally paid for his much-needed hamstring surgery. The UFC’s health insurance policy didn’t cover Gorman’s medical procedures because they were treatment for a “pre-existing” condition, ie. he hurt himself before he stepped into the Octagon or UFC Training Center.

Gorman’s UG post below:

“Yeah Dana and TUF producers went beyond what they should have to make me feel welcome from the start and after I was sent home. My hamstring was torn off the bone the week of the fight (so yes, I fought to get in the house like that), so they couldn’t cover a pre-existing injury. They were so nice even after my injury fucked their show up. Being on that show meant the world to me but the way they treated me made the whole experience lifechanging. I could go on for days with true genuine nice things about TUF producers (Jamie and Gary), Dana, Sean Shelby and everyone else including the the camera guys.

Anyone talking shit about Dana or anyone behind the scenes with UFC or TUF is a piece of shit liar or they did something to UFC/TUF and got what they deserved.

When I thought my life was over and couldn’t even afford to pay the medical bills, they kept me positive and paid for everything out of their own pocket when my manager or I didn’t tell them I didn’t have the money.

They have more heart than they do anything and anyone who says different is a fool.”

We may never find out if a woman can submit lil Timmy Gorman but it’s great news that neither he nor the UFC are letting his nasty hamstring injury KO him. We can’t imagine staying conscious through the type of pain he must have felt with his torn hamstring, much less fight and win in the UFC Octagon.

Yes, he’s obnoxious. But also, the kid’s got guts. And talent. Now he’ll get a second chance to show both in the UFC.

– Elias Cepeda

Tim Gorman’s Injury Pre-Existing; Dana White and TUF Producers Pay Medical Bills

Tim Gorman’s dream of winning The Ultimate Fighter crashed during last night’s episode when it was revealed he suffered a torn hamstring and would be unable to continue in the competition.
Gorman was an early favorite to go far in the bantamweight side…

Tim Gorman’s dream of winning The Ultimate Fighter crashed during last night’s episode when it was revealed he suffered a torn hamstring and would be unable to continue in the competition.

Gorman was an early favorite to go far in the bantamweight side of the bracket, but the leg injury prevented him from going further than the elimination round.

As more information was made available about Gorman’s condition, it turns out he actually suffered the injury prior to making it to the reality show, but he refused to give up his shot and fought on the torn hamstring in the opening round.

According to Gorman’s manager, Ryan Hass of EVO Agents, in a statement received by Bleacher Report on Thursday, the fighter was definitely not 100 percent going into his first fight but had no intention of giving up his spot.

Now the bad part about going into The Ultimate Fighter with a pre-existing injury is the fact that the UFC’s medical insurance for the fighters wouldn’t pay to fix his damaged leg. Gorman didn’t actually hurt the leg during the competition, so the insurance couldn’t cover his torn hamstring.

Hass says UFC president Dana White along with the producers behind The Ultimate Fighter were so supportive of Gorman during this process that they actually paid his entire medical bill out of their own pockets because insurance wouldn’t cover it.

The bantamweight prospect underwent therapy for the torn hamstring, and his manager says Gorman is already healed up and hopes to fight as early as January.

As disappointed as Gorman was about missing out on his chance to win The Ultimate Fighter, he can be happy in the fact that his next fight will take place in the UFC.

White confirmed on Thursday during a Google Hangout session on Fox Sports that Gorman will get a shot in the UFC regardless of how he exited The Ultimate Fighter.

“The kid’s a nutball, he’s a lunatic. I like that, that’s not a bad thing. He wanted to continue to fight, I respect that,” White said. “He’ll get another shot in the UFC, we’ll give him a shot.”

Gorman can now fully focus on his rehab and training as he awaits the call for his first fight in the UFC presumably either late this year or early 2014.

 

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White Reveals Biggest Single Payday for a Fighter in UFC History

This weekend in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather will face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the main event in what is expected to be one of the biggest boxing pay-per-views in history.
Before Mayweather even steps through the ropes, boxing’s top earner will have al…

This weekend in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather will face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in the main event in what is expected to be one of the biggest boxing pay-per-views in history.

Before Mayweather even steps through the ropes, boxing’s top earner will have already pocketed a whopping $41 million for the effort.

The payday will land the man known as “Money” second all-time for a payday in a single event in boxing just behind Oscar De La Hoya, who earned a ridiculous $53 million for his matchup against Mayweather in 2007, ironically enough.

On Thursday, during a Google Hangout session (via Fox Sports) with Fox Sports UFC president Dana White along with UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, they were asked what was the highest single payday for one fighter in UFC history.

The answer according to Fertitta was a $5 million payday for a single fighter on one card.

Neither Fertitta or White were willing to divulge who the fighter was that made that money, but it’s likely one of the company’s biggest stars raked in the cash based on base salary along with pay-per-view bonuses.

A few of the names that could potentially be the mystery fighter include former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar as well as current UFC welterweight king Georges St-Pierre.

As far as the wide margin of difference between the $5 million top payday in the UFC versus Mayweather’s gaudy sum of $41 million, White says there are a number of reasons that is happening.

First off, White reminds everyone that while the UFC is making good money these days, it’s been just over five years since the company was making any kind of profit. To add to that, White is adamant about boxing pulling in big paydays for several years, and the UFC still has some catching up to do in terms of what they can pay out.

We paid a guy $5 million for a fight before—we didn’t start making money until 2007. That was six years ago. So boxing’s been around for a 100 years, they’ve been doing big events since way back when. Pretty amazing what we have done in short amount of time. I don’t think a lot of people look at that way and break it down for what it really is.

The profits for this weekend’s fight between Mayweather and Canelo are expected to be astronomical in value, and the pay-per-view is predicted to make a run for the biggest in boxing history.

The live attendance gate for the show currently sitting at more than $20 million is already the largest in history.

White promises if the UFC pulls in those kinds of numbers for a show, the fighters at the top of the bill will be paid handsomely.

“We’ve never done 2 million pay-per-views either,” White said with a laugh. “We do 2 million pay-per-views and a $20 million gate, that number’s going to go way up.”

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Daniel Cormier ‘Probably’ Lands Title Shot Against Jon Jones with Win at UFC 166

Daniel Cormier has long talked about dropping down to light heavyweight and getting a shot at champion Jon Jones, and it seems he may get his wish if he can get past Roy Nelson at UFC 166 next month.
During a Google Hangout session with UFC president D…

Daniel Cormier has long talked about dropping down to light heavyweight and getting a shot at champion Jon Jones, and it seems he may get his wish if he can get past Roy Nelson at UFC 166 next month.

During a Google Hangout session with UFC president Dana White, via Fox Sports, on Thursday, he was posed with the question about the fight.

White was asked specifically if Cormier beats Nelson and Jones beats Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165, if those to would fight next.

“Yeah, probably,” White revealed. “Yep.”

This news comes as a shock after just a week ago Glover Teixeira was declared the new No. 1 contender when he knocked out Ryan Bader in the first round of their fight at UFC Fight Night 28 in Brazil.

It was stated on the night of the fight that Teixeira would receive the next shot at the gold against the winner of the fight between Jones and Gustafsson. It’s unclear if White had a change of heart in the matter or was just caught off guard with the question on Thursday, but he’s now throwing Cormier‘s name into the mix as a potential No. 1 contender.

Cormier still hasn’t even made the move to light heavyweight officially, but he’s already cutting the weight ahead of his fight against Nelson in October.

The plan the former Olympic team captain set up is to start dropping a few pounds as he gets ready for Nelson, and then after the fight make the move down to 205 pounds.

While it’s true that Cormier has never fought at light heavyweight, he does bring an impressive resume to the division if he does drop down and get an immediate title shot. He already holds wins over UFC heavyweight mainstays such as Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Frank Mir and Josh Barnett.

If the former Oklahoma State wrestler can dispatch of Nelson in October, that would add another top-10 fighter to the win column—something Teixeira can’t yet boast in his UFC career.

As it happens many times when it comes to UFC matchmaking, the real answer will probably come after Cormier fights Nelson at UFC 166. If he looks impressive and dominates or finishes the former Ultimate Fighter winner, it will go a long way towards earning the shot against Jones or Gustafsson for the title.

The only person not happy to hear there’s another contender in the race has to be Teixeira, who was already in the top spot until Thursday.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com