UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort compared the Reebok deal to slavery according to an interview he did with Sports TV Brazil.
Translated by Bloody Elbow:
“MMA is a lot closer to entertainment than sport these days. I’m not satisfied with the way the company is handling sponsorship. We are pretty much living in slavery. We can’t use our own sponsors, they are banned inside the Octagon. We have no properties… I hope I can leave a legacy which fighters can use to raise awareness about a minimum wage pay. It’s a contact sport. I don’t think it’s fair for someone to earn 500 dollars to be elbowed in the face. There has to be a retirement plan, which does not exist now. That’s something for the next generation. They need to save their money and invest. They need to know the athlete life will end.”
Payout Perspective:
Salacious comments from Belfort but the remark is support to evoke some emotion from the reader. Last year, Belfort’s wife and manager indicated that he has lost millions due to the deal. The sports agency 9ine, founded by Ronaldo, cut ties with the UFC due to Reebok. The agency had ties with Belfort and Anderson Silva. Based on his comments, it’s clear that Belfort was one greatly affected by the deal due to the amount of money he could earn from sponsors. Since that is no longer happening, he is one of the contracted fighters speaking out.
E Tops says
Go to Bellator
Wil says
well lets all write the history books for blacks in the new world since a millionaire sports athlete compared his “plight” to slavery
d says
Belfort is an idiot.
The NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA all prevent athletes from using their own sponsorship while competing on the field/court.
Also, no one makes anywhere near $500 dollars in the UFC, he must be thinking about ppv boxers, only they make that little. Hahaha.
d says
The NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA all prevent athletes from using their own sponsorship while competing on the field/court.
Also, no one makes anywhere near $500 dollars in the UFC, he must be thinking about ppv boxers, only they make that little. Hahaha.
Fight Fan says
Lol d the delusional gets crazier by the day. D show me a ppv main card fighter earning that. As usual no sources or credibility.
d says
“D show me a ppv main card fighter earning that. As usual no sources or credibility.”
When did I mention main card?
BrainSmasher says
Gee I wonder how Belfort was worth millions to be able to lose millions? The UFC built his career and his Brand. You don’t like the terms then you shouldn’t have signed the contract! Go somewhere else and you won’t have to worry about losing something you have no chance of ever getting!
tops E says
Hahahahaha….slavery it is….hahahaha…
tops E says
Fanboys emotional when ufc fighters complain….as if they are the ones losing money hahahaha
tops E says
Belfort was one of the pioneers in the early ufc….who can forget his fight with wanderlei,tank abott etc…with carlosn gracie top team(mario sperry,conan silviera)….but fanboys are more fans of dw and his movement hahahaha
Dana says
I don’t ever remember him making that much money.
There’s always Bellator,One FC,WSOF. No more Deer trunks or local car dealerships on my fighters. Looks silly.
d says
“Fanboys emotional”
Says the guy posting nonstop attempting to spin facts.
BrainSmasher says
I am aware of Vitors history. Unlike you boxing Noobs I followed the sport then. However there is no one bigger than the sport. That’s something boxing clowns don’t realize and why that sport sucks! Vitor was put in the UFC as a no one. The UfC made him and he was compensated along the way for everything he did and he agreed to every part of it. To get to the end and think they owe you anything.
Those sponsors of Vitor are dependent on him being in the UFC. They are not interested if he fights anywhere else. With that being the case they are not his sponsors. They use him as a back door to get in the UFC without investing the money to sponsor the UFC. Vitor and fighters have been screwed the UFC since day one and why it has now changed.
The Greatest says
UFCs a declining company, who cares
tops E says
Ufc the brand was not that big during vitors time,it was still with seg not big at all,,he was one of the fighters who built it and made it popular during those days…after shamrock gracie fame….extreme fighting was the other promotion brand at the time with john lober,ralph gracie and john lewis…..but fanboys dont respect fighters only dw and the declining brand hahahaha
Fight Fan says
What a crybaby
Wil says
I have no love for Dana White and the Fertitas, they are collectively the Don Kings of mma….however, hearing Vitor moan and whine is complete garbage. The man is a millionaire, I remember seeing him fight in the early days of UFC when he was 19 and 20 etc. If he doesnt like his terms in the UFC, then take the issue to court and break contract and go to Bellator…..which more UFC fighters should do anyway.
Fight Fan says
Good point wil, don’t bite the hand that feeds you. And if you don’t like it then leave lol
d says
“UFCs a declining company, who cares”
Clearly proving you don’t understand the definition of declining.