“That Just Doesn’t Work” – Dana White’s Disputable Move in Stephen Thompson Non Payment Controversy Finds Backing From a Unusual Source

Within the ongoing UFC compensation debate, a puzzling query arises: Can fighters forgo stepping into the octagon and yet demand their show earnings? This conundrum sits at the crux of the discussion. Perspective from a notable figure underscores the intricate nature of the issue, providing a glimpse into the complex tangle of fighter pay.

It is known that the much-anticipated UFC 291 clash between Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson and Michel Pereira  was derailed when Pereira exceeded the Welterweight limit by three pounds. Thompson asked Dana White for his “show money,” but White rejected the request. The UFC president outlined that if a fighter turns down both original and replacement bouts, UFC calculates and reimburses camp costs. He expressed skepticism towards Thompson’s stance, asserting show money doesn’t apply after refusal. Contractually, no fight means no pay.

The ongoing debate continues, and former MMA referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy has now voiced support for Dana White’s decision.

Big John statements – Balancing fighter’s worth and compensation

Recently, Josh Thomson and Big John were featured in a podcast on the YouTube channel WEIGHING IN. In this podcast, they engaged in a discussion on ‘Fighter Pay’ and ‘Training Camp Costs’.

During their conversation, Big John showed his support for White’s decision. He asserted: “It’s so funny because everyone will always say that I put Dana down and then I’m putting the UFC down. I agree with Dana. You can’t have someone like ‘Wonder Boy’ in the position he is in and the amount of money he’s making. High six figures is his pay. It’s good to sit there and have him because he was offered that fight against Michael with the three pounds and he decided I’m not gonna take it and that’s his option I had nothing against Wonderboy”.

He went on to add, “He was offered a second fight, but he said no, he wasn’t going to take it. So, for someone to expect that he’s going to get his show money, that just doesn’t work, you know? Yeah, just because you made weight.” Big John emphasized that Wonderboy, despite being at the optimal weight for the match against Michael Pereira, turned down the bout due to weight-related concerns.

Read More: UFC’s Parent Company Suffers a Major Financial Blow After Dana White’s Recent Controversy

He later added, “He did make weight, but when you make as much money as him, I agree that any promotion should help pay for that fighter’s training camp—the amount of money that he spent during that time getting ready for the fight. You could say that the promotion should help meet the cost of what it took for him to get prepared for that.” Big John took a stance for Wonderboy, too. He indicated that he should be reimbursed for the camp money he spent while getting ready for the fight.

Dana White explanation – The reality of UFC fighter compensation

Dana White’s response to the controversy emphasizes the multifaceted approach that the UFC takes toward fighter compensation. In a conversation with The MMA News he stated, “So how that works is, guys just don’t get paid to not fight. That’s not how that works… What we do is we try to get you another fight, we try to turn you around quickly. If you don’t turn around quickly, then we try to figure out, ‘What did it cost for your camp? We’ll reimburse you”. He detailed a workable method where UFC repays fighters for training expenses when a substitute fight isn’t promptly scheduled. White made it clear that the expectation of receiving full show money without fighting isn’t congruent with the UFC’s compensation structure.

As the MMA world progresses, the perspective on fair compensation must evolve in parallel. The sentiment was echoed by John, who has expressed support for White amidst the recent controversy involving Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson’s show money. One question remains: whose stance is superior, Dana’s or Wonderboy’s? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Watch this story: What Went Down Between Dana White and Stephen Thompson After UFC 291 Fiasco? How Much Was ‘Wonderboy’ Paid for the Cancelled Fight Against Michel Pereira?