Rebney, GSP, Cerrone, Dillashaw, Kennedy and Velasquez announce the creation of MMAAA
The world of fighting may be close to a major revolution. On Wednesday night (30) the fighters Georges St Pierre, Cain Velazquez, Donald Cerrone, Tim Kennedy and TJ Dillashaw announced the creation of the 'MMA Athletes' Association' (MMAAA), an entity that aims to protect and seek improvements for the sport's athletes. In addition to the competitors, the former president of Bellator, Bjorn Rebney, was presented as a consultant for the entity.
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“I am one of the rare fighters who came out healthy and rich. I can't say the same for most guys. Even the Conor McGregor It doesn't have the fair division that it should. Fighters have been threatened or intimidated. There are people who approached me due to the same situation, this team is the most solid. It's time to be heard and make changes happen. In most sports it is 50/50 (promoters and athletes). For us, it’s around 8%”, said the Canadian Georges St Pierre, who left the UFC in 2013 as welterweight champion because he didn't agree with some of Ultimate's policies.
In its turn, Cain Velazquez, former UFC heavyweight champion, highlighted the organization's lack of plans for the athletes who will “hang up their gloves”.
“I've had seven surgeries since 2008. After my fight, I have my next surgery scheduled. There is no post-retirement health plan. This is why we are united now, to improve our lives in the future,” said Velasquez.
Still no strike
Despite being willing to confront the organizations and demand improvements, the athletes ruled out the possibility of a strike at first. Many of them have fights scheduled for the next few weeks and should normally fulfill their commitments.
“We don’t want a strike. We want to work together and be a team with the UFC, to have that pride”, guaranteed Velasquez.
See the main items raised by the Association:
1- MMAAA will be led solely and exclusively by fighters;
2- They demand direct negotiation power with the UFC;
3- Goal of increasing the share allocated to athletes from 8% to 50%;
4- Inclusion of a CBA along the lines of leagues such as the NFL and NHL, which offers the possibility of negotiating contractual changes for all fighters at once.
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