Gustafsson (photo) was yet another athlete to criticize the sports equipment contract. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
On October 3rd, the Swedish Alexander Gustafson will have his second chance to win the light heavyweight belt against the champion Daniel Cormier and, therefore, thanks to the new agreement between UFC and Reebok, he will receive US$30 (around R$120, at the current price) from the sports equipment supplier. Despite this, the fat check for his sponsorship did not prevent Gustafsson from harshly criticizing the exclusive contract and leaving his complaint regarding the payment policy to athletes.
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“They should pay fighters a lot more money. For all the hard work and sacrifices fighters often make to fight, I think they are underpaid. The same thing is with Reebok. I have nothing against it, but why take small sponsors away from athletes who haven't established themselves in the organization? They are going through a difficult situation, why take away what helps them pay their rent and bills? They are really squeezing all the money from fighters who haven't established themselves yet, it's sad to see”, said the Swede, in an interview with the North American website “MMA Junkie”.
Gustafsson justified his point of view by talking about the importance he sees in local sponsors for athletes. “It's difficult, some fighters have no choice, they need the sport to survive, others don't. But I still think that the greatest support you can get is from local sponsors, so that athletes can spend more time training and help the sport develop. This deal with Reebok doesn’t help the fighters,” he explained.
After gaining almost instant fame by having the “2013 Fight of the Year” against Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafson will now try again to win the light heavyweight title, this time against Daniel Cormier. The duel between Gustafsson and Cormier will be the main fight of UFC 192, an event scheduled for October 3, in Houston (USA).
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