“Don’t see guys hurrying up to fight,” UFC CEO Dana White rips fighter pay critics using examples of Jon Jones and Michael Chandler

Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, recently addressed questions over fighter pay. He did this by citing the instance of Michael Chandler and drew comparisons with Jon Jones. White’s comments came amid a discussion of the fight between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor. 

Despite the lengthy delay in making the Chandler-McGregor match a reality, White minimized Chandler’s dissatisfaction. To answer criticisms about inadequate fighter compensation, Dana White emphasized that fighters like Chandler had the luxury of choosing their battles wisely. This is what he had to say:

The good thing for guys like Chandler, and you know there’s a lot of sh*t talk about fighter pay and all that other sh*t – you don’t see these guys hurrying up to fight. Jon Jones takes off for f***ing years. Chandler can hang out and wait for f***ing Conor…Now Chandler can just sit around and take his time and wait for Conor however long it takes, so these guys are all in good positions where they can wait for the right time, the right fight.

Dana White via The Full Send Podcast

White’s mention of Jon Jones, who has taken long vacations from the sport, backs up his claim that fighters, particularly high-profile ones, do not rush into fights. This viewpoint contradicts the frequently hurled criticism at the UFC about fighter pay.

White’s comments imply that fighters who take lengthy vacations, such as Jones, and Chandler, who can afford to wait for a preferred opponent, have the ability to navigate their careers wisely. His statements add a layer of perspective to the ongoing dialogue about fighter compensation in the UFC.

Chris Eubanks Jr. is frustrated with Dana White’s monopoly on MMA

Former boxing champion Chris Eubanks Jr. recently aired his disapproval of Dana White’s influence in the MMA industry. In an interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, he notably addressed issues over fighter compensation within the UFC. He accused Dana White of having a monopoly in MMA, claiming that if athletes do not accept what White provides, they are practically forced to seek chances elsewhere.

Eubanks Jr. emphasized the UFC’s lack of competition. He claimed that Dana White does not need to compete with other promotions. This has allowed him to dictate athlete compensation without external influences. He stated that White’s commercial practices provided him with tremendous influence.

This critique is consistent with an ongoing debate in the MMA world over fighter compensation. Noteworthy examples of fighters include Francis Ngannou, expressing unhappiness and seeking different promoters. He left the UFC to join the PFL, allowing him to pursue boxing freely.

In case you missed it:

• “This generation is bunch of pu**ies!” Dana White believes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s ‘Dagestan crew’ could takeover America
• “MIAMI BABY” – Dana White officially announces much-hyped Sean O’Malley vs Chito Vera title fight for UFC 299

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