MMA prospect chooses Bellator over UFC

Penn State collegiate wrestler Ed Ruth has signed with Bellator.  A reason that the MMA prospect decided to go with the Viacom-owned company instead of the UFC is due to the recent changes in sponsorship policy.

Ruth told Tristen Critchfield of Sherdog he felt that he could obtain more sponsorship money than the entry level $2,500 he would receive with the UFC.

In a recent interview, Scott Coker was neutral about the UFC-Reebok sponsorship deal and the pay tiers even though he acknowledged that he’s been contacted by UFC fighters and managers about Bellator’s sponsorship policy.  The announcement of the Reebok sponsors pay tiers have caused many to criticize the new structure and UFC fight managers have called a meeting to discuss the business of the sport as a result.

Ruth is a 3-time NCAA champion and a prime candidate for the 2016 Olympics per Bloody Elbow.  He served as Jon Jones’ training partner leading up to UFC 182.

Payout Perspective:

There’s no public certainty that the UFC was actively recruiting Ruth so we do not know if there was some sort of bidding war for his services.  Still, this is a good prospect acquisition by Bellator as it has done this in the past with amateur wrestlers Aaron Pico and Bubba Jenkins.  However, the additional news that Ruth chose Bellator over the UFC due to the new sponsorship policy brings up the question of whether more fighters will consider Bellator over the UFC.  The other question is whether sponsors will pay the same in Bellator as it has done in the UFC.  The fact remains that reported Bellator pay is lower than UFC pay.  If Ruth believes he can make up that monetary disparity through sponsors, then the risk is worth it.  Ruth alluded to the fact that based on his background, he can make more with sponsors than just the initial $2,500.  One might suspect that his amateur wrestling ties may help with obtaining sponsors.