
USA Today via Reuters
MMA: UFC Fight Night-Sherman vs Villanueva, May 13, 2020 Jacksonville, Florida, USA UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer announces during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports, 13.05.2020 19:07:45, 14306908, NPStrans, UFC Fight Night, Bruce Buffer, UFC, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJasenxVinlovex 14306908

USA Today via Reuters
MMA: UFC Fight Night-Sherman vs Villanueva, May 13, 2020 Jacksonville, Florida, USA UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer announces during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports, 13.05.2020 19:07:45, 14306908, NPStrans, UFC Fight Night, Bruce Buffer, UFC, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJasenxVinlovex 14306908
Fighter pay has been quite a sensitive and controversial subject for UFC athletes over the last few years. While many big stars have come up in the open about it and demanded a better pay cheque, even successfully at times, it can’t be said the same for undercard fighters. Maybe a lack of a platform could also be the reason that the younger and lesser-paid guys don’t usually voice their concerns. Despite this, there have been times when lesser-known fighters did talk about their comparatively smaller pay cheque.
In one such unusual instance, UFC fighter Damir Hadžović was seen voicing his concerns about it. And this particular video clip showing him talk about it to none other than UFC announcer Bruce Buffer has left fans in quite the flurry.
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Bruce Buffer tells Hadžović to not talk about fighter pay; Fans react
Fighters usually go through a range of emotions after a win. And Hadžović’s reaction after finishing his opponent could well be down to that. As his opponent lay on the canvas knocked out, cameras caught him whispering to Buffer, “They don’t pay us enough for this”.
The veteran announcer, although did find it amusing, asked Hadžović to not mention it during the post-fight interview.
“Just don’t say that in your interview,” Buffer told the fighter.
'just don't say that in your interview' pic.twitter.com/UZuz5YxLFn
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) March 8, 2023
The reaction flowing in from fans was quite divided in all honesty. But no doubt, Buffer’s wisdom in asking Hadžović to stay off the topic was appreciated by some.
Hell of a job to Bruce for looking out for the guy at least
— btov (@btovar0123) March 9, 2023
It is sad when Bruce Buffer gets paid more than the fighters.
— Peter J Rickard (@PeterJRickard) March 9, 2023
Some even felt that Buffer saved the fighter from getting cut by the UFC.
Bruce saving that man's ass from a roster cut
— Chris From Jersey (@ChrisFromJerse1) March 8, 2023
Bruce saved the man’s career
— Stephen Casey (@ste_casey93) March 9, 2023
Bruce is the homie for real. He got everybody’s back 😭
— Butthead (@buttheadmma) March 10, 2023
Yeah that’s why Bruce makes more than most fighters 😂
— EyeOnEyez (@EyeOnEyez) March 9, 2023
Dana gave a pay rise to bruce after this
— MS10 🐝🇲🇦 (@MouadS10) March 8, 2023
One fan concerned about the pay situation asked fighters to form some sort of union in order to demand better pay.
Everyone knows that, but it’s getting pretty lame to hear you complain. Why don’t you guys stand up for each other and strike? I mean damn, teachers do
— Kyle (@thewritelifenow) March 9, 2023
Concerns about fighter contracts and bad pay have been a serious topic of debate for a while. Although guys in the upper rankings have a certain freedom in demanding their rights, it can’t be said the same for the unranked and rookie athletes. While the likes of a Jon Jones or a Conor McGregor can stay away from the action for years and still come back to a huge paycheck, the rest of the roster isn’t allowed that leeway in their career.
And if you take a look from that perspective, Hadžović’s words and this interaction sum up the state of affairs of the current fighters in the UFC.
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The incident took place after Damir Hadžović beat Polo Reyes in 2019
This incident took place when the Danish fighter took on Polo Reyes in February 2019. Fighting in the prelims of UFC Fight Night headlines by Jan Błachowicz and Thiago Santos, Hadžović was able to finish Reyes in the second round via TKO.
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And despite winning, seeing his opponent lay flat on the canvas probably made him make that remark to Buffer. Although Buffer also compliments him later, saying he’d definitely get a bump in pay if he kept fighting like that.
Watch This Story: 5 TIMES UFC MADE YOU GO- WHAT THE F***!
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