“If you don’t accept, goodbye!” Boxing champion goes on tirade against Dana White’s monopoly in MMA world; slams fighter pay

Chris Eubanks Jr. shares his views on Dana White's control of MMA, emphasizing concerns about fighter compensation and the UFC's dominance in the sport's business landscape.

“If you don’t accept, goodbye!” Boxing champion goes on tirade against Dana White’s monopoly in MMA world; slams fighter pay

Dana White accused of UFC monopoly by Chris Eubanks Jr. (Image via: IMAGO)

The UFC is the biggest MMA promotion in the world, and Dana White is one of the reasons for it. However, his business practices have come at odds with many inside and outside the MMA world. Now, a former boxing champion, Chris Eubanks Jr., called out Dana White’s monopoly in MMA relating to fighter pay.

Chris Eubanks Jr. is the son of former two-division champion Chris Bubanks. Eubanks Jr. himself was a two-division champion. In a recent interview on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Eubanks Jr. talked about MMA. He talked particularly about Dana White and fighter pay in MMA. This is what he said:

In the UFC you have a guy who has monopolized the entire MMA world. If you don’t accept what Dana’s giving you, goodbye. Find somewhere else to go.................... Dana doesn’t have to compete with anybody so he can pay you whatever he wants. In terms of business, he’s cracked it.
Chris Eubanks Jr. via MMA Hour
YouTube video

Apparently, Chris Eubanks Jr. is a big fan of MMA. He finds it more entertaining than boxing. However, he is not a big fan of MMA in terms of business. Eubanks Jr. felt that the fighters in the UFC were underpaid.

FS Video

He cited the example of boxing, where there are different promoters and different organizations. In such a scenario, the fighters get paid the most. However, in MMA, the UFC is the only best option for a fighter in terms of recognition. Moreover, Eubanks cited Dana White as the main reason for the monopoly of the UFC.

Many fighters in the UFC have clashed over fighter pay. The most notable one is Francis Ngannou. Ngannou left the UFC and signed with the PFL. The deal allowed him to pursue boxing independently. He fought Tyson Fury in a nontitle bout in Riyadh. There was no PFL involvement in the bout. When Conor McGregor fought Floyd Mayweather Jr., the promotion of the fight involved the UFC.

Conor McGregor’s ‘Red Panty Night’ was real for fellow champions on the same card relating to fighter pay

The UFC is facing a class action lawsuit from former fights. Judge Richard Boulware, who is the judge for the lawsuit recently revealed the fighter pay documents. The fighter pay of the biggest superstars was made public. The MMA community was stunned by the fighter pay of even Conor McGregor. The disclosed payouts were up to 2016.

Conor McGregor's involvement improves fighter pay
Conor McGregor (Image Courtesy – Sports Illustrated)

Apparently, Conor McGregor did not get an 8 figure payday from the UFC. Moreover, Brock Lesnar was paid more than McGregor on average. However, Conor McGregor’s famous ‘Red Panty Night’ was real for his opponents and fellow champions fighting on the same card as himself. Nate Diaz made more money in the McGregor fights than the sum of his entire fights.

Moreover, Tyron Woodley, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Holly Holm made more money by fighting in the undercard of a McGrgeor PPV. Woodley fought Stephen Thompson, whilst Jedrzejczyk fought Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 205, headlined by McGregor and Eddie Alvarez.

The aforementioned amount was the biggest payday for both Woodley and Jedrzejczyk. Moreover, Holly Holm’s biggest payday was at UFC 196 when she fought Miesha Tate. McGregor and Diaz headlined UFC 196. Jedrzejczyk, Woodley, and Holm made more than $2 million, $1 million, and close to $3 million, respectively, on the bouts.

In case you missed it!