“That Is Fuc***g Illegal”: Fans Call “Bullsh*t” on Dana White and Co. Following UFC’s Refusal to Pay Stephen Thompson His Purse for UFC 291

29 July was a memorable night for UFC and fight fans. Justin Gaethje secured a victory over Dustin Poirier with a devastating head kick. UFC Middleweight fighter Alex Pereira, who moved up to the Light Heavyweight division to fight Jan Blachowicz, took the win by split decision and shocked the world. But Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira getting canceled was one of the biggest losses of the night.

Their fight was scratched off of the UFC 291 fight card, right before the event commenced. Welterweight star Stephen Thompson pulled out of the fight after his opponent failed to make weight. What’s more is that Thompson didn’t even get paid, although he made it to the weigh-ins. But why?

UFC’s compensation policies are in the spotlight again

Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira was one of the attractions of the stacked UFC 291 card. Right before the event started, the Welterweight bout was canceled to prevent an unfair competition. With the weight limit being 171 pounds, Pereira overshot by 3 pounds, leading to the bout getting canceled.

Thompson, on the other hand, did make weight as his official weight before the fight was recorded at 170.5 pounds. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson was not okay with fighting an opponent who failed to make weight and the bout was eventually canceled.

What has the fans riled up is the fact that Stephen Thompson was not compensated for his efforts and hard work in everything leading up to the fight – or so the sources suggest. UFC President Dana White is now facing blowback for this decision.

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Was it already a part of the contract? Because there might be a possibility that the fight purse that was mentioned was for the fight and not for just weighing in. However, the question of whether that makes it fair or not does come into play.

Will Stephen Thompson get paid?

The UFC has been under scrutiny for a long time for allegations against them regarding low fighter pay. In fact, a lot of fighters from the roster have spoken up about it, leading to UFC President Dana White facing major backlash. However, White’s stance has always been the same as he has denied the basis of these allegations and assured that fighters are always well taken care of.

Now, with Stephen Thompson not getting paid for the canceled bout, through no fault of his own, fans have found another reason to have a go at White.

Stephen Thompson didn’t receive his show money despite making weight for his canceled #UFC291 bout vs. Michel Pereira, per source.
by u/I_love_Basketball232 in MMA

Comments like, “That should be fucking illegal,” “That is f*****g illegal,” and “Shi**y as it sounds then no fighter would take the fight against a weight miss. The % is the incentive,” were all across a recent Reddit post about the same.

One fan wrote, “It’s be fair to get both purses if your opponent misses weight. Not getting paid at all is straight bullsh*t,” while another argued, saying, “We call it show and win money. I think in the contracts it’s fight money and win bonus. And he didn’t fight.“

One fan pointed out that it would be unfair to pair them together and let the fight happen. “They always do a fight metric where overweight fighters have like an 80% win rate. It’s smart to not take the fight. But not getting paid and doing a weight cut is bulls**t,” he commented.

“Thats not how it works. he showed up to fight at the agreed upon weight, his opponent didnt. wonderboy should still get paid for upholding his side of the agreement,” pointed out one fan. Another said, “Yeah, its $ to fight and $ to win. you dont get paid just for showing up.“

While there has been no revelation as to the reason why Stephen Thompson did not get paid, the fact that it could be a clause of the contract cannot be disregarded. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

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