“He Can Pay You Whatever He Wants” – Dana White Gets Called Out for Francis Ngannou Contract Debacle in Chris Eubank Jr.’s Remark on UFC’s Unfair Monopoly

Dana White is currently facing controversy as several UFC fighters have raised concerns about their inadequate compensation. Controversies are not uncommon in the world of UFC, but the fighter’s pay issue escalated significantly when it turned into a legal matter. A U.S. District Court recently approved a class-action lawsuit against the UFC, with the lawsuit primarily focusing on fighter pay.

The controversy resurfaced again when Dana White denied Stephen Thompson his show money after Thompson’s fight was called off due to his opponent’s missing weight. Amidst this commotion, renowned boxer Chris Eubank Jr. shared his thoughts on the pay disparity between boxing and MMA.

Chris Eubank Jr discusses about UFC pay disparity

The 33-year-old boxer recently had an interview with journalist Ariel Helwani in the MMA Hour on the YouTube channel MMAfightingwithsbn. While having the conversation, Helwani inquired if there will ever be a day when UFC stars make close to what boxing stars earn. Eubank Jr emphasized that it would be impossible for the UFC fighters to earn as much as the boxers due to the monopoly created by Dana White.

Eubank quotes, “It’s impossible with the UFC; you have a guy who’s monopolized the entire MMA world. If you don’t accept what Dana White is, Goodbye. Find somewhere else to go. A perfect example is Francis Ngannou. In boxing, you have promoters all over the world; you have associations; you have the IBF; you know, the WBO. We’ve been seeing all these different outfits fighting for the best fighters”.

Continuing the discussion, Eubank Jr. emphasized that the situation differs in boxing, citing the presence of numerous boxing organizations and intense competition within the sport. “The competition [in boxing] is so huge; they’re always gonna pay fighters more.”

He further added, “ Dana [White] doesn’t have to compete with anybody, so he can pay you whatever he wants. In terms of business, he’s cracked. You gotta give the guy credit from a business perspective. But from a moral perspective, these guys, you know, they’re risking their lives. They’re having to go through hell and back to train and prepare and get in the octagon. They’re not being compensated as they should be, in my opinion. So, it s**ks. It s**ks, but what can you do? You can’t do anything until there’s more competition.”

MMA fighters unite in landmark legal battle against UFC and Dana White

In 2014, a movement led by former UFC fighters, including Brandon Vera, Jon Fitch, and Cung Le, began a legal battle against the UFC. Fast forward to today, and over 1,200 fighters have joined the lawsuit. Eric Magraken, a respected Canadian combat sports regulatory lawyer, has confirmed via Twitter that a US federal court has certified this as a Class Action, categorizing it as an “antitrust lawsuit.”

Fighters have accused the UFC of employing unfair methods to dominate the MMA market and of underpaying them. Additionally, they have identified three main issues: oppressive contracts, aggressive practices that go beyond these contracts, and the UFC’s acquisition of competitors, which limits fighter options.

This legal battle signifies a momentous juncture. Here, combatants unite in their resolute condemnation of the prevailing industry practices, advocating ardently for equitable treatment and remuneration. As this legal battle unfolds, it highlights the imperative necessity for heightened transparency and impartiality within the sphere of combat sports.

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