Conor McGregor & Sean O’Malley Called to ‘Unionize’ Fighters Against Dana White by UFC Vet

The UFC is one of the most profitable sports organizations in the entire world but unfortunately also the most unequal. Back in 2019, more than a third of professional fighters in the UFC were paid less than $45,000. As of last January, CEO Dana White signed a $1.5 billion deal for airtime on ESPN. In February 2020 UFC handed more than $300 million to its shareholders including a $3 million cheque for White. Yet according to reports, the fighters are not paid their share.

The fighters also do not have a union. Bryan Callen and Brendan Schaub debated the UFC’s $335 million settlement with 1200 fighters and how UFC fighters need to unionize.

Brendan Schaub & Bryan Callen talk about UFC unionization

Schaub pointed out that none of the fighters made market value in the history of UFC. Callen was also quick to point out that UFC has recently gained as much popularity as the NBA or NFL. It was not always as popular as the other sports. When he asked a former MMA fighter about the ranking of UFC, the former said that it was in the top five. ‘Big Brown’ also pointed out that UFC is making more money but the fighters are getting the same pay.

This is when he pointed out the significance of having unions. He said, “The fighters need a union, they need a union. Just like MLB, NFL, and NBA have. That’s the only way they are ever gonna make a change.” He also pointed out, “Tyson Pedro had an 8,9,10 whatever career it was, is dead broke. That doesn’t sit right with me. But again if you go to Dana he goes ‘Well, he should have won more fights.’” Schaub also concluded, “You have to unionize, you have to get Conor McGregor on board.”

Schaub is always vocal about his payment which has been minimal while he was on the UFC. He also claimed that he was paid around $8000 plus $8000 USD for one fight even if it had more than 5 million views at a UFC on Fox event. Now he finally claims that there is a solution for fighters to take the fight back and start a union. According to Schaub, fighters such as Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Sean O’Malley, Sean Strickland, and other big shots should join this union to make a huge impact.

There have been previous criticisms about financials that were received in the UFC, and an accusation has gone to Dana White and Co. In a previous YouTube video, Demetrious Johnson also exposed Dana White’s claims that the ex-UFC fighter did not need PPV points and expected a higher in-hand payment. However, he revealed that he was denied Pay Per View points.

What is your idea about the union? Should the UFC have a union?

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