UFC Fighter Union

[Darth_Inv1ctu5]

So apparently Leslie Smith was cut from UFC roster after her opponemo missed weight and UFC decided to offer Smith show + win money for that fight in order to make it look like the last fight for her contract was fulfilled. When she tried to extend her contract, UFC declined, ostensibly because she's been active trying to unionize fighters.

Now, I get that most of you guys don't care about WMMA and that's your prerogative, but the issue goes beyond WMMA - UFC is bullying fighters away from unionization and into compliance. Smith has set up a GoFundMe page to fight this:

https://www.gofundme.com/leslie-smith-legal-defense

I don't expect that too many of you will give a shit, but consider this - the people you watch and hope to continue to watch are fighting for peanuts compared to what their employer makes. If you want more fighters in Bellator, by all means ignore this, but the issue will not be resolved by everyone crossing over - eventually it will result in the same situation over there too.

If even a fraction of us commit a few bucks to this, Smith can try to argue that fighters under UFC aren't independent contractors but employees, which would make it illegal for UFC to retaliate against anyone trying to unionize, making a fighter union possible. And as of right now, a fight union is the only viable way they can bargain with UFC on pay.

I think this is worth a few bucks...

 

[TheRassler]

it's not a real major sport until it unionizes.


plain and simple.

 

[JudoThrowFiasco]

Nice try, Leslie.

 

[chitoortiz]

I hope within my lifetime I see an MMA union form.

I'd also like to be in the room when Dana and WME find out.

 

[Bubba32]

crap lawsuit.

She turned down the fight! she was offered a fight plus 20% of her opponents purse which is part of the regulations and she turned it down.

UFC didnt even have to pay her. They could have just released her.

Instead UFC paid her show and win even after she turned down the final fight on her contract.

UFC didnt cut her. Her contract was fulfilled and they decided not to offer her a new contract after she demanded 100k a fight.

 

[tithas]

it's not a real major sport until it unionizes.


plain and simple.

Independent contractors cannot be in a federally recognized union.

 

[TheRassler]

Independent contractors cannot be in a federally recognized union.

independent contractors cannot be controlled like employees and have to surrender over all their rights.

a union must be formed.

 

[suffersystem]

So apparently Leslie Smith was cut from UFC roster after her opponemo missed weight and UFC decided to offer Smith show + win money for that fight in order to make it look like the last fight for her contract was fulfilled. When she tried to extend her contract, UFC declined, ostensibly because she's been active trying to unionize fighters.

Now, I get that most of you guys don't care about WMMA and that's your prerogative, but the issue goes beyond WMMA - UFC is bullying fighters away from unionization and into compliance. Smith has set up a GoFundMe page to fight this:

https://www.gofundme.com/leslie-smith-legal-defense

I don't expect that too many of you will give a shit, but consider this - the people you watch and hope to continue to watch are fighting for peanuts compared to what their employer makes. If you want more fighters in Bellator, by all means ignore this, but the issue will not be resolved by everyone crossing over - eventually it will result in the same situation over there too.

If even a fraction of us commit a few bucks to this, Smith can try to argue that fighters under UFC aren't independent contractors but employees, which would make it illegal for UFC to retaliate against anyone trying to unionize, making a fighter union possible. And as of right now, a fight union is the only viable way they can bargain with UFC on pay.

I think this is worth a few bucks...

She wasn't cut though, they simply didn't resign her. her contract was over, they have no obligation to renogotiate or resign her if they choose not to.

 

[AP_RESURRECTION]

Lots of people think the UFC should have a union. The UFC wont let that happen. It's not going to happen.

 

[Rational Poster]

independent contracts cannot be controlled like employees and have to surrender over all their rights.

a union must be formed.

Independent contractors can be held to the terms of whatever contract they sign.

If they don't like the UFC's terms they can sign up at Bellator.


There will never be a union in an individual combat sport.

 

[TheRassler]

Independent contractors can be held to the terms of whatever contract they sign.

If they don't like the UFC's terms they can sign up at Bellator.


There will never be a union in an individual combat sport.

That's exactly why a union needs to be formed, there's a union in all the other major sports, if the UFC wants to become a major sport, they must unionize too, or else it's just a busch league.

 

[Toad Frogan]

UFC Fighter Union


























=







UFC FU

 

[Deleted member 535377]

I really need to win that Euro Millions jackpot to set up my own show.
I'll call it UFC and host it in Mongolia, or some offshore oil rig, in international waters.
I'll fly over a bunch of high level fighters, who aren't sure about re-signing with the real UFC and Ill pay them £500,000 each, flat fee.
Can bring all the sponsors that they want. 5 corner men. I'll employ them directly and they can wear what they want.
Do a promo video for each individual fighter to whack on their social media. Attend one pre-fight event and post fight conference if they aren't too injured.
I'll have catch-weight fights too. No belts. Just fights.

If I make my money back from television interest and pay per view, then I'll do it again until my money dries up.
Hopefully, I'll suck in enough of the big fighters to at least cover my overheads.
The fighters can create some kind of union under my copyright infringing show and hold all the cards when they get to US soil again.

Also, no USADA.

No live crowd.

Also, I'll employ Stitch Duran. He can be my friend.

Ill have an over 40's division, should people choose to participate in it.
I won't make any money from it - because I already have enough money to live comfortably.
It's all for the fighters.
Might even rename myself Dana Fucking White and shave my head.

 

[68WCombatMedic]

independent contracts cannot be controlled like employees and have to surrender over all their rights.

a union must be formed.

The fighters deserve more pay, yes. But do you realize what happens if a union is formed? Alvarez wants to hold out until he gets a title shot, he can. Woodley wants to fight #9 in the rankings and wont fight anyone else? Ufc can't do a thing about it.

Say Jones makes 250k a fight. He loses his next fight to Gus. Gus now wants 250k. But MM is on a huge win streak so he wants 250k too. Same with every fighter that gets a decent win. The UFC can't say no, so now every guy is making huge money, which is good right? Until these fighters make that much money and would rather spend time at home with their families and fight once a year. So now the UFC has to create more divisions just to fill out cards. But they're paying out a few million a card just for guys to step into the cage. That's not sustainable, so they go bankrupt. Then those fighters go to bellator and the same things happens there. Because one a certain pay is established, no matter whether said fighter wins or loses, they get paid that much.

 

[method115]

That's exactly why a union needs to be formed, there's a union in all the other major sports, if the UFC wants to become a major sport, they must unionize too, or else it's just a busch league.

Boxing isn't.

 

[Rational Poster]

That's exactly why a union needs to be formed, there's a union in all the other major sports, if the UFC wants to become a major sport, they must unionize too, or else it's just a busch league.

It's an individual combat sport though.

There is no incentive for a union except for the bottom tier fighters.

Even mid tier fighters have little interest. Why do they want an even playing field when its their job to beat the other guy to near death?

They want all the advantages they can get, including money.

 

[moogie101]

Part of a union but needs a gofundme page to pay legal fees? GTFO

Not against a union for fighters but don't give a shit about Leslie who is only in this position because she wanted far more money than she was worth.

 

[Ares Black]

Lots of people think the UFC should have a union. The UFC wont let that happen. It's not going to happen.

That's not how unions work. No boss wants their employees to unionize, they do it anyway. If every fighter was on board, the UFC would have no choice.

 

[Askafan]

crap lawsuit.

She turned down the fight! she was offered a fight plus 20% of her opponents purse which is part of the regulations and she turned it down.

UFC didnt even have to pay her. They could have just released her.

Instead UFC paid her show and win even after she turned down the final fight on her contract.

UFC didnt cut her. Her contract was fulfilled and they decided not to offer her a new contract after she demanded 100k a fight.

She told a journalist she wanted a 100k, the UFC heard this from the Journo. Leslie's manager phoned the UFC asking for a 2 fight extension at 31/31, the UFC never got back. Saying she demanded 100k is a bit of an exaggeration when her manager actually spoke directly to the UFC with a more realistic offer.

Water under the bridge now of course.

 

[Bubba32]

She told a journalist she wanted a 100k, the UFC heard this from the Journo. Leslie's manager phoned the UFC asking for a 2 fight extension at 31/31, the UFC never got back. Saying she demanded 100k is a bit of an exaggeration when her manager actually spoke directly to the UFC with a more realistic offer.

Water under the bridge now of course.

regardless. she turned down the last fight on her contract and was paid anyway. Does UFC now have to offer every fighter a new contract when there current one is over?