Dana promises changes to the UFC rankings: We want a smaller, trustworthy and ethical group

D. White (photo) spoke about the new contract with Reebok and the changes in the ranking. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

This Tuesday (02), the UFC announced a gigantic exclusive contract for the supply of sports equipment with Reebok. Along with the agreement, the organization revealed that athletes, who can no longer display personal sponsors in the octagon or at official events, will receive their shares of revenue in proportion to the place they occupy in the official rankings. The news called the legitimacy of the current ranking production process into question and caused president Dana White to promise changes quickly.

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“We are looking at a smaller group of people to be involved in these rankings, trustworthy and ethical guys. Let's work on it. I am in favor of what is fair for everyone”, guaranteed the director, in an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”. Dana, however, did not reveal how the new electorate of the official ranking will be composed. Currently, the list is built by crossing the personal relationships of dozens of accredited journalists around the planet.

In addition to the ranking issue, Dana also commented on the new agreement with Reebok and guaranteed that the contract will improve the situation for the fighters, in addition to involving them even more in the process. “When you look at the agreement and the transfer of all the money to the athletes, and also the fact that we involved them in this whole thing, you see that today the fighter can fight this Saturday and in two months and have completely different sponsors. But with Reebok, every time they step into the octagon they get paid and they get 20% of everything they sell with their name on it. Now, they are investors, it's like they have their own small companies. And, in addition, there will be individualities, differences in products for each one. We are heading in the right direction”, guaranteed the director.

The new contract between UFC and Reebok comes into force in July next year, during the week of “Internation Fight Week”, the annual sports fair in Las Vegas promoted by Ultimate. From that date on, all athletes will perform in fights, weigh-ins and events on the official agenda using licensed products from the British brand. The agreement between the largest MMA organization on the planet and the sporting equipment supplier lasts for six years and its values ​​have not been disclosed.