Fighters, much like strippers, are independent contractors. Strippers often have to pay the house for the opportunity to dance. In this scenario, Ariel is the house. Its very generous of him not to charge fighters for the opportunity to "dance"
I don't think that analogy works, because strippers are making a ton of money "dancing" if that is the case.
Fighters are getting some exposure on a niche MMA show sure, maybe increasing their visibility and brand a tiny bit. Most fighters have no personality, youtube channel, brand, things to sell, etc. So what are they directly earning?
I never really saw the issue with people coming on Helwani's show per se, but he has been an absolute rat over the years to fighters and 100% has manufactured drama. There's a reason Nick Diaz slapped him and explicitly said that years ago, and Rampage had beef, and numerous fighters did with him.
I'm not really sure if it's a completely valid point that Paddy brings up, but it sort of is. And he said it in connection with Helwani calling for fighter pay. It's really a triforce of 3 scumbags on this subject.
1. Fighter pay is trash for lower fighters. It could be higher. Dana protects corporate interests and his own money by poo pooing fighter pay increases and unions consistently. But also, lower tier fighters don't draw really and boxing also screws them for example. Doesn't justify it but.
2. Helwani is a rat who makes money based on fighters. His platform is independent again, maybe MMAfighting connected probably which is like a niche shitty vox media cuck site. Or it's youtube. So for him to cry about fighter pay while not compensating fighters at all is also kind of ridiculous on some level.
3. Paddy either doesn't care about fighter pay because he's retarded, is selfish and aware, or strongly believes that you have to make a brand and sell yourself (which he's stated). So he also doesn't actually care either, it's all about himself. But then again, at the end of the day that's how the world works. Everyone is out for themselves.
