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LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 16: UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal interacts with the media during the UFC 246 Ultimate Media Day at UFC APEX on January 16, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 16: UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal interacts with the media during the UFC 246 Ultimate Media Day at UFC APEX on January 16, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal is riding a wave of change among fighters in the UFC. In addition, he joins Sean O’Malley in taking the helm of representing themselves in the business. Moreover, MMA journalist Alex Behunin more or less confirmed this with his statement over Twitter. Thus, when people got to know the fighter parted ways with the company that would manage him, it raised many eyebrows. However, Masvidal may have thought through it.
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‘Gamebred‘ is most known for two things, the fastest KO in UFC history against Ben Askren and the BMF title. Furthermore, because of his persona inside and outside the octagon, he always remains in the realm of the most talked about combat sports athletes.
Similarly, ‘Sugar’ has amassed global popularity. He also has a persona that demands attention from MMA spectators. The magnetic aura of these athletes results in an extremely loyal fan base that stands with them in loss or victory.
Jorge Masvidal takes matters into his own hands
For the entirety of his career up-till now, ‘Street Jesus’ chose to be represented by First Round Management. What’s more, they are known to be associated with class-A athletes globally, mainly NFL and MMA. Some of their associated MMA athletes include Jon Jones, Demetrious Johnson, BJ Penn, Yoel Romero, Derrick Lewis, and more.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 02: Jorge Masvidal celebrates his victory over Nate Diaz (doctor’s stoppage) in their welterweight bout for the BMF title during the UFC 244 event at Madison Square Garden on November 02, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Even though the management has such a stellar list of athletes under their banner, Masvidal chose to represent himself. In addition, Alex Behunin added fuel to the fire by announcing, “Jorge Masvidal is no longer being represented by First Round Management, per sources.”
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He further added, “He still has a relationship with FRM and are on good terms but will be negotiating on his own from now on.”
Why are fighters choosing to manage and represent themselves?
This isn’t the first time a fighter under First Round Management has chosen to distance themselves from them. Back in 2017, current Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling ran into some trouble with the management. Before his fight against former Bantamweight champion, Renan Barao, the management became unresponsive.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: Aljamain Sterling prepares to fight Petr Yan of Russia in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
They explained that the deals weren’t lining up for him. Furthermore, once he beat Barao, Sterling questioned the CEO of his management Malki, over what he was paying them for. However, instead of any justification, the suggestion was to part ways. Since then he has tried representing himself. Further commenting that it isn’t the ‘first time‘ they have parted ways with a fighter due to indifference.
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 17: UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley is seen in attendance during the UFC Fight Night event at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 17, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Similarly, ‘Sugar’ prefers to represent himself. He said, “I am my management,” O’Malley explained. “Solo dolo. No middleman, no one taking a random percentage for being a middleman. I do all my own deals and s*** gets done right…”
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Do you agree with Masvidal’s decision to represent himself?
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