Fighter says he was fired from UFC for refusing to compete while injured

Baghdad was fired from the UFC. Photo: Disclosure

In times of controversies involving the UFC and labor laws from the United States, another episode could put the organization in trouble. Fighter Mehdi Baghdad revealed that he was fired from the main MMA organization on the planet for refusing to compete while injured.

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Baghdad would face Jon Tuck at UFC Manila, in the Philippines, on October 15th. However, the athlete suffered an abdominal hernia and had to be rushed to hospital for surgery. According to his account, when he informed the UFC that he would not be able to fight, Baghdad was fired.

“I was in the emergency room the night before I was told the bad news that I couldn't fight. I called my manager, who called Joe Silva [responsible for matching UFC fights]. And Joe Silva replied: 'Do you really need to leave the fight? We're going to fire you.' My manager responded, 'What do you mean, man? You can not do that! The doctor said he needs to have surgery. He can't fight.' So, my manager told me: 'They want you to fight or you will be fired'”, he explained, in an interview with the website “MMA Circus”.

Baghdad then opted for surgery and ended up being discharged. Interestingly, UFC Manila would be canceled days later after B.J. Penn, who would be in the main fight of the night against Ricardo Lamas, suffered an injury. Baghdad has already had two fights in Ultimate, with two defeats, to Chris Wade e John makdessi.

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