In a must-read piece by Yahoo MMA writer Kevin Iole, UFC President Dana White comes apart at the seams and goes off on Jon Fitch and Christian Wellisch, regarding their refusal to sign a lifetime video game agreement.
In addition, Iole revealed that Josh Koscheck and Cain Velasquez could be next to be cut and that the American Kickboxing Academy and agents DeWayne Zinkin and Bob Cook will no longer be worked with by UFC.
White: “We’re looking for guys who want to work with us and not against us, and frankly I’m just so [expletive] sick of this [expletive] it’s not even funny. Affliction is still out there trying to build its company. Let [Fitch] go work with them. Let him see what he thinks of those [expletives]. [Expletive] him. These guys aren’t partners with us. [Expletive] them. All of them, every last [expletive] one of them.”
Wow, even for White, that seems a bit harsh, no? Fitch is also quoted in the piece and comes off a bit more, well, polished and calm?
Fitch: “Working for free and selling our rights away for lifetime, that’s a little different. We tried to negotiate five or 10-year deals with them, but it wasn’t good enough. It was all or nothing. He wanted our lifetime. He wanted our souls forever.”
The dispute stems from Fitch, Wellisch, and others not signing over their lifetime rights to use their likenesses in a video game coming out soon from THQ. Fitch said the dispute isn't about money, but rather that the company wouldn't continue to pay his family in the event of death. He didn't understand why the deal needed to be lifetime.
The article notes that Chuck Liddell is a Zinkin Entertainment client (they negotiate only sponsorships, according to White) as is current Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin. Hmm...that is interesting.
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about 1 month ago
Actual quote: "White said the AKA fighters “aren’t partners with us” and said they don’t understand what the UFC is trying to do for the sport."
Edited by me: "White said the AKA fighters "aren't our slaves" and said they don't understand that the UFC only cares about its interests, not the interests of the fighters."
about 1 month ago
Wow that's rough. Hah...Tito's preaching is starting to make more sense
from about 1 month ago
Tito is never right!!! He looks out for know one but himself.
from about 1 month ago
In Tito's defence - on TUF he really looked out for the fighters (maybe because Shamrock did such a shitty job he standed out but w/e)
from about 1 month ago
I agree that Tto was a hell of a good coach and really stood by his guys.
about 1 month ago
This is a real tough one to call. I think a union would do them right in this and other situations with organizations, but it'll take quite a while to get them there.
about 1 month ago
This one is rough. Right now the NFL player union is having as similar problem with Madden. The PU is not paying retired player rights for them being in the games and to the designers to blur their faces so they could pay higher rate to active players. I think Dana is trying to head this off in the completely wrong way. Dana is that friend that feel betrayed when you tell him he is acting like a dick even if he is. Then you make up till the next blow up.
from about 1 month ago
Why does everyone say Tito is ONLY looking out for himself?? He has always preached that fighters should get a fair cut and that they shouldn't be treated like crap. Wtf's so wrong about that people??
Dana White releasing Jon Fitch and potentially other AKA fighters is a PERFECT example of this! Dana treats his fighters like crap and has absolutely no problem getting rid of any of them on a whim if they disagree with him!! Jon Fitch and Koscheck are MMA stars! yet Dana had no problem in cutting them due to the fact that they were a little hesitant in signing an unfair lifetime contract which provides them with no royalties and incentive!
Tito doesn’t get enough credit. He brings in money for the UFC and is a very successful MMA fighter and businessman. Many people in his situation would keep their mouth shut and let the UFC keep paying them. However Tito still speaks his mind and stands up for the fighters. Yes he may be arguing for a fait cut for himself but at the same time he still speaks for the fighters and is trying to lay down precedent for future fighters who want to speak up.
from about 1 month ago
Tito takes to much credit. You talk about Tito looking out for other fighter, but if Tito hadn't demand so much the other could have been paid more.
As for his coaching I think he was one of the best the show had.
about 1 month ago
that's pretty ridiculous, the guy is cutting fighters over a video game. Kind of shows how far dana white's head has really gone up his own ass... It should be an awesome game, but it won't make up for great fighters getting cut from the UFC. tisk tisk
about 1 month ago
I smirked when I read Dana say "I’m not a douche bag" - sounds like he has read my comments about him :+)
about 1 month ago
I want Dana to keep losing his mind. And maybe the Ferttita's will fire him. And then hopefully, we'll see some true international fighters in the UFC.
from about 1 month ago
Bet Tito would work for them.
about 1 month ago
Yeah Dana White is the new Napoleon Bonaparte... I hope Dana gets sent to his island soon.
about 1 month ago
Hope they buy him his own island and call it Danad so like Elba (able was I ere I saw Elba) will have A CUTE LITTLE "HOOK".
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