Can UFC contracts be terminated at any point in time?

[MustangSally]

There is a lot of talk about the loser of Mir/Overeem getting cut because they are on such high paying contracts.

Does anyone know how UFC contracts normally work? Is it rolling contract that can be terminated at any point or is it a contract for an agreed amount of fights (e.g. Anderson Silva signed a 10 fight contract, Dana said that Roy Nelsons fight against Miocic was the last fight of his previous contract).

If it is a contract for an agreed number of fights, how can it just be terminated? Isn't that why people sign contracts so that they have some job security and can't just be 'cut' whenever the boss feels like it. If this is the case and a fighter gets cut, does the UFC have to pay up the rest of his contract?

Say for example Overeem signed a 5 fight deal for $285,000 per fight and the UFC wants to cut him. Do they have to pay up for the 2 remaining fights on his contract?

 

[SSJ16]

I would assume unless stated otherwise that a contract is binding for the duration of the fights stated.

For instance, if Overeem had a special provision in his contract that stated he must win X amount of fights for his contract to be valid then the UFC could cut him see he had a performance based contract. I am totally speculating though.

 

[HiMyNameIs***]

I would assume unless stated otherwise that a contract is binding for the duration of the fights stated.

For instance, if Overeem had a special provision in his contract that stated he must win X amount of fights for his contract to be valid then the UFC could cut him see he had a performance based contract. I am totally speculating though.

It could be that in the contract it states that the contract can be terminated at any given time which is probably likely... although I am no lawyer so I may be wrong

 

[DetachedOrchid]

it sure can just like any other job. you underperform on a consistent basis than you get canned.

 

[CajunOutlaw]

It might vary from person to person. If all the contracts could be terminated at any point in time Mark Hunt would have never gotten a shot. Then again the UFC inherited that contract from Pride so it could be completely different from the standard UFC contract now. It wouldn't surprise me if the UFC does (especially now) have a clause stating they can terminate it at any time.

 

[Arkain2K]

Consider that we don't see fighters (since Mark Hunt) calling up their lawyers after getting the pink slip before their contract expires, it's reasonable to assume that there's a clause that allow unilateral termination by Zuffa LLC for any reason - or none at all.

Speaking of contract, you gotta love how all the ex-Strikeforce guys are getting hazardous pay two or three times higher than their peers :-D

 

[ZuffaExecutive]

It might vary from person to person. If all the contracts could be terminated at any point in time Mark Hunt would have never gotten a shot. Then again the UFC inherited that contract from Pride so it could be completely different from the standard UFC contract now. It wouldn't surprise me if the UFC does (especially now) have a clause stating they can terminate it at any time.

Well as you say they may be different contracts,but they offered to buy out hunts contract and he refused,im guessing there different as some guys have heard there cut on twitter etc

 

[dhayez702]

Well essentially, if you think about it, I think most contracts state we will pay you X amount of X amount of fights. During this time, you can't do certain things, such as fight in other MMA orgs.

So realistically, the UFC could just tell the fighter, we aren't going to give you any fights. You are still under contract, but we wont give any fights. And if you fight elsewhere, we will sue.

isn't this what happened to Vinny at M-1?

 

[3v3ryth1ng**]

it sure can just like any other job. you underperform on a consistent basis than you get canned.

You must not be familiar with work contracts. Plenty of lousy workers have their cush jobs protected until they die.


Something tells me the UFC doesn't use standard form contracts. The way Dana White talks, it appears fighters have basically zero bargaining power. He's cut a few people for ostensibly bullshit reasons, so I'd wager that UFC retained the power to cancel.

Doesn't anybody have a copy of a contract? Someone hit up an ex fighter and ask just to see it.

 

[ZuffaExecutive]

Well essentially, if you think about it, I think most contracts state we will pay you X amount of X amount of fights. During this time, you can't do certain things, such as fight in other MMA orgs.

So realistically, the UFC could just tell the fighter, we aren't going to give you any fights. You are still under contract, but we wont give any fights. And if you fight elsewhere, we will sue.

isn't this what happened to Vinny at M-1?

They cant,they have to get fighters x amount of fights in x amount of time,was why roy fought miocic,if they didnt give him a fight in the time frame they would of been in breach of the contract and he refused to give them an extension on it.

 

[SSJ16]

It could be that in the contract it states that the contract can be terminated at any given time which is probably likely... although I am no lawyer so I may be wrong

This would definitely make sense as well.

 

[asuop]

They can be terminated after a loss. Otherwise, I think it requires the fighter to do something stupid like get arrested.

 

[jjjjjjjjjjohnny]

I would guess it depends on the fighter. ie, why would someone like overeem sign a contract with the UFC if the fights weren't guaranteed - i'm sure for top level fighters there is a guaranteed number of fights / that would also tie the fighter up from going to a competitive organization - ie, hector Lombard may be a good example.

 

[NaglfarCommando]

You must not be familiar with work contracts. Plenty of lousy workers have their cush jobs protected until they die.


Something tells me the UFC doesn't use standard form contracts. The way Dana White talks, it appears fighters have basically zero bargaining power. He's cut a few people for ostensibly bullshit reasons, so I'd wager that UFC retained the power to cancel.

Doesn't anybody have a copy of a contract? Someone hit up an ex fighter and ask just to see it.

I've seen Heaths.. not exactly favorable to the fighter to say the least. They are fucking evil to the point where lawyers are saying they are unconscionable.. takes a lot for a lawyer to admit that.

 

[PivotPunch]

The UFC can cut you whenever they feel like it thew contract is pretty much just about the money they got not about having a right to fight

 

[GordaoPreguico]

They cant,they have to get fighters x amount of fights in x amount of time,was why roy fought miocic,if they didnt give him a fight in the time frame they would of been in breach of the contract and he refused to give them an extension on it.

Ken Shamrock is still pissed about this.