My Fighter’s Need To Stop Whining “Rant”
I am so sick of fighters complaining ALL the damn time. You would think that if a fighter has fought in one of the major organizations(UFC, WEC, EliteXC, DREAM, PRIDE) etc…they would have a damn clue as to how shit works. But no, most of these fighters have their heads so far up their damn ass it’s pathetic. The sad part is, besides Tito Ortiz and a couple of veterans, it’s LARGELY fresh on the scene fighters bitching. How the hell you gonna have like 3 fights on the big stage and demand a 6 figure contract or ask to make more than the champion is making? Yes, I’m talking about Roger Huerta.
How can you not understand how to negotiate a contract? Why on GOD’s green earth would you talk shit about the company you work for, before the BIGGEST fight of your life? Especially considering that if you win this particular fight, you have ALL the POWER when it comes to negotiating a new contract. Why are all these stupid ass fighters clamoring to goto an organization that’s about as stable as two elephants trying to have sex on a tight rope? YOU SIGNED THE CONTRACT TO BEGIN WITH…IT’S YOUR FAULT…NOBODY PUT A GUN TO YOUR HEAD TO SIGN THE DOTTED LINE.
Ok, you’ve seen what happened to Randy Couture for being an idiot. Why not learn from that situation and just keep your mouth shut and do your damn job? Yes, I know fight promotions are full of shit sometimes…but, you already knew that beforehand. YOU decided to be a MMA fighter, if you don’t like how the system works…fulfull the contract you signed and THEN say what you wanna say afterwards.
I like Roger Huerta…he’s got MADD heart…and is exciting in EVERY fight. Hell I wouldn’t mind seeing him win this weekend at UFC 87. But for Christ’s sake, don’t take the emotion you fight with…and let it come out in your frustrations with whom you work for. Not in an interview for a magazine at least.
August 7, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Nice rant. An argument that bothers me when fighters are looking for more money is: “We’re putting ourselves in danger, the promoters aren’t.” First, the promoters are putting their money in danger. Second, although MMA is physically dangerous, I can think of many jobs out there that are more dangerous, don’t pay anymore, and certainly aren’t as glamorous.
MMA is not a cash printing press. There is one national organization that is profitable – Zuffa. Even Zuffa doesn’t rake in the kind of money that major sports do. I just don’t think there is a ton of money to throw at fighters even though some promotions are operating like there is. Fighters need to realize that some of their demands may not be financially feasible.
August 7, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Thanks Cannon, and I agree with everything you said. These fighters have to realize that MMA is still at infant level in terms of salaries, major sponsors, etc etc.
August 7, 2008 at 4:35 pm
The money is just starting to come into the sport at this point. I think Huerta is probably better off moving over to one of the upstart promotions (Affliction, Dream, …) and raking in big money from them for a couple years if that’s what he’s looking for.
These fighters whining like this is killing me. You don’t sign a contract for a certain amount of money and then complain that someone else is making more. Don’t sign the contract if you don’t like the terms!
August 7, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I don’t know if going to another promotion is a good move for Huerta…especially with the promotional push they have giving him(tonight’s countdown is a prime example). If he fights and keeps he mouth shut…they’ll take great care of him.
Thanks for stopping by the site Tim.
August 7, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Complaining bout money ….. shiiit …. i should complain about money im in the army … and yet these dudes could shit more money than i earn
August 8, 2008 at 10:42 am
Tell em’ why you man son!
Sheeeeeit, what article is this bro……you got me itchin’ to read what this cat said now. LOL.
No doubt, a contract is a contract is a contract. Adhere to it. Although, I have NO problem with athletes in any sport that seek to renegotiate a contract. Especially if you have ‘out-performed’ said contract. Not saying that Huerta has or hasn’t, but I think that promoters, owners whatever, have to be open to the possibility, especially if the sport is growing, and said player / fighter etc is a prime contributor to that. Now, with that being said, I am not a fan of doing so in a public nature. Especially if you’re attempting to use that as leverage to force the league to the table, or to adhere to certain demands. Handle that behind closed doors with some sense of pride and dignity.
August 8, 2008 at 1:03 pm
http://mmamania.com/2008/07/31/roger-huerta-i-dont-care-if-i-fight-in-the-ufc-or-somewhere-else/
August 9, 2008 at 2:56 pm
You can’t change the world by keeping you mouth shut and not doing a damn thing.
I think he has every right to say something. Those UFC contracts have confidentiality clauses and all kinds of other stuff in them that ain’t necessarily fair.
I know, I know, then he shouldn’t have signed it. Well look in other sports they started out not even having free agency in baseball and football. How did that get changed? Somebody spoke out.
That is how change will happen you have to have guys like Huerta willing to stand up and put himself on the line. Guys like Curt Flood that stood up for change in baseball and that virtually ended his career. Maybe that isn’t a fair comparison but it’s part of my point. Somebody has to stand up and start the change.
Other sports athletes spent decades with unfavorable contracts. Finally someone stood up and said this isn’t right. Those initial guys that stood up benefited little from their actions but those that followed did greatly.
It appears to me you see him as a whining athlete.
He wasn’t just concerned about his contract he was concerned about others as well.
I see him as a man wanting change for the sport he loves.
What is wrong with that?