One of the biggest stars in UFC, Jorge Masvidal takes on Kamaru Usman in the main event UFC 261. This is going to be a huge event as UFC will welcome the fans into the arena for the first time since the COVID outbreak.
In 2020, Jorge Masvidal main evented the first Fight Island PPV on six days’ notice. He took on the fight after the title challenger, Gilbert Burns pulled out due to COVID-19. Prior to that, there was a dispute between Jorge Masvidal and UFC regarding contract negotiations. And Masvidal chose to sit out and not fight for the title unless UFC gave him a more suitable deal.
Read More: Justin Gaethje warns Masvidal ahead of UFC 261
Not just Masvidal but the former light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones has also expressed his frustration with UFC not paying him enough money to fight Francis Ngannou in a much anticipated heavyweight clash.
Jorge Masvidal raises voice against UFC
Though UFC did give a big fight purse to Jorge Masvidal for UFC 251, he is still looking to bring a change in UFC. Jorge Masvidal sends a message to all the fighters in UFC about the disparity between the pay of a UFC fighter and a boxer.
In a recent interview with Yahoo Sports, Jorge Masvidal stated:
“It’s just not fair. And I say this not just for me but for all the brothers and sisters that are like ‘Ahh I finally got my PPV points’.It’s not what you think, UFC has opened up those doors where they have to give bigger margins to the guys that are bringing in the PPVs. In UFC we often say look at what the undercard boxers make compared to our opening card guys. Yeah okay got it. But when you get to the top of the levels. there is a huge disparity. I don’t like it. And I was gonna stand for it. And the only reason they gave the numbers that I wanted is that it was six days ago and they needed somebody to save the main event. I would not have done it for any less.”
It can not be denied that UFC is not paying its top fighters enough money when compared to the boxing world. We just witnessed Ben Askren making $500k for his boxing debut against Jake Paul. Former UFC fighter Corey Anderson is also making comparatively a lot more money in Bellator when compared to his UFC run. But, the solution to this issue is rather complex. A fighters’ association might be a start towards a better future for the fighter. However, the top superstars of UFC must come together for this cause.