Demetrious Johnson knows his hold boss Dana White has a flair for drama when it comes to business.
White’s recently launched Zuffa Boxing burst into the headlines this past weekend when it was announced that Matchroom Boxing fighter Conor Benn signed with White’s promotion for a reported $15 million. The eye-popping number drew a wide reaction of responses, with some praising White for the unexpected move, and others, like Sean O’Malley, pointing out the enormous wage discrepancy between Benn and the fighters
of the UFC.
Whether White’s investment in Benn pays off remains to be seen, but Johnson believes White has already made the statement he wanted to.
“I think Dana White did it out of spite,” Johnson said on his YouTube channel. “I think Dana White did it because he can do that. I think, I quote, Dana White says he’s ‘fighting babies’ in the sport of boxing. I think Dana White is showing those guys I can make this big payday. Like, $15 million, boom, there you go.”
The debate between boxing and MMA compensation has raged for years, with the UFC building an empire on the backs of fighters that are widely underpaid—to the point that some have full-time jobs in addition to pro fighting—and boxing generating huge salaries for its stars via contract negotiations that occasionally prevent anticipated matchups from coming to fruition.
It’s that ability to negotiate with multiple governing bodies that separates boxers from MMA fighters in Johnson’s eyes, because for MMA fighters the UFC is by far the biggest game in town.
“Legally, I think, contractually if you get an offer from somebody, the other party has the opportunity to match,” Johnson said. “They could have matched the $15 million, but Matchroom didn’t want to match it. So, with that being said, there is no other place where a mixed martial artist can go and do that match. Maybe for one person, maybe for two or three, but we always talk about the grand scheme of MMA fighters not getting paid. Not everybody deserves to get paid in MMA.
“If you’re f*cking losing and you’re not good, you don’t deserve to get a $2 million, $3 million paycheck. There’s got to be some kind of incentive to do good and win.”
Johnson acknowledges that due to UFC fighter salaries being kept close to the chest (athletic commissions rarely release event purses), that makes it even more difficult to determine which ones have significant leverage. To the best of fans’ knowledge, a payday such as the one Benn received has only been achievable by a small group of MMA stars, a short list would presumably include Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, and Brock Lesnar.
White has made it clear he does not plan to play second fiddle to the old guard of boxing and has publicly butted heads with Benn’s former Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn. By signing away Benn, White can be confident he’s landed at least one good shot on his rival promoter.
“I truly believe it is a flex move by Dana White,” Johnson said. “You guys have been following the headlines of him going to battle with all of the boxing promoters, he said it’s like, and I quote, ‘fighting babies.’ Fifteen million dollars for one fight, it’s crazy, because what’s going to happen after this fight? Is the $15 million worth having Conor Benn? It’s the first time I’ve heard of him. From what everybody tells me he’s a very good boxer.
“But is Khamzat Chimaev making $15 million? Is Ilia Topuria making $15 million? Merab Dvalishvili making $15 million? We don’t know because those numbers are always hidden, but I truly believe it’s a flex from Dana White paying Conor Benn $15 million.”
TOP STORIES
Fingers Crossed. UFC Mexico should be going down as scheduled in Mexico City despite cartel violence in other parts of the country.
Cost. The UFC White House budget could climb into the $60 million range.
Wrasslin’. Merab Dvalishvili is coming to Real American Freestyle.
Smoke. Carlos Prates shoots down Conor McGregor fight rumors (luckily for McGregor, apparently).
Blame. Matt Brown thinks both Jacobe Smith and referee Kerry Hatley could have done a better job at UFC Houston.
Up. Robert Whittaker is one step closer to a move to light heavyweight.
Baddy. Paddy Pimblett has plans for his return following UFC 324 disappointment.
VIDEO STEW
Mike Heck chats with No. 1 middleweight contender (?) Nassourdine Imavov.
Michael Bisping wants to know what’s up with Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev.
DJ works with Team Alpha Male.
Daniel Cormier picks the mind of Mark Messier.
Gumby Vreeland talks rankings.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
Fighter vs. Writer. Damon Martin and Matt Brown react to Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, and Zuffa Boxing snatching Conor Benn from Matchroom.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Happy birthday?
Quality cross promotion.
This is why the MMA Fighting Rankings are the only ones that matter.
But why?
Agree.
Faceoff.
Probably a good idea to get this sorted.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Curtis Blaydes (19-5, 1 NC) vs. Josh Hokit (8-0); UFC 327, April 11
Kevin Holland (28-15, 1 NC) vs. Randy Brown (20-7); UFC 327, April 11
Kyle Daukaus (17-4, 1 NC) vs. Vicente Luque (23-12-1); UFC 327, April 11
Jasmine Jasudavicius (14-4) vs. Karine Silva (19-6); UFC Winnipeg, April 18
Melissa Croden (7-3) vs. Daria Zhelezniakova (10-2); UFC Winnipeg, April 18
Merab Dvalishvili vs. TBD (wrestling); RAF 8, April 18
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’ll just paraphrase what Jed said yesterday: Hey, UFC fighters, WAKE UP!
EXIT POLL
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