It seems like we can’t go a day or two without there being new information that’s coming out about the UFC and one of their unhappy stars. Jorge Masvidal took to Twitter Sunday afternoon to talk about the offer that was given to him by the UFC to fight welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman.
I already explained why I signed a new deal. It’s either take it or leave it and not get paid. I would’ve signed another deal if it was done in good faith. He called me night before he wants to announce and tell me take or it leave it. That’s not negotiating that’s strong arming
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) June 14, 2020
A step back for a UFC title shot?
Masvidal signed a new UFC contract last year, prior to his fight with Nate Diaz. Historically, fighters sign long-term deals with the UFC, but they are able to negotiate on a fight-by-fight basis. Masvidal’s deal gives him a base pay, but he made much more than that base pay for his fight with Diaz. The entire issue that has come up is that the UFC is saying that they will not negotiate with Masvidal for his next fight. They offered him the title fight with Usman for the amount that is listed on his contract. Of course, Masvidal was not happy with the deal because he’d be taking a step back financially when he’s fighting for the actual title. It’s a weird situation because the UFC is well within their right to hold Masvidal to the contract that he and his management signed, but Masvidal has every right to be frustrated.
How UFC contracts normally work
Many pundits have come out recently and talked about this including former two-division champion, Daniel Cormier. “DC” said that he still is under his old contract, but he makes much more than that for his fights. While UFC contracts are signed for multiple fights, they are negotiated on a fight-by-fight basis. Masvidal also stated this in another Tweet:
For that fight I was compensated more. For the 6 remaining I am not. I have always been able to negotiate going forward except now when it comes time for the title fight, I go backwards? Gtfoh. In essence it’s a one fight deal. Henry cejudo, jon Jones, Conor and https://t.co/z4jBXqfn9k
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) June 14, 2020
Where we go from here
With this entire mess, the fans are the ones that are truly missing out. The Masvidal/Usman fight was going to be huge for the July PPV card. Don’t get me wrong, Usman/Burns is a fantastic fight, but it doesn’t have the heat that the Masvidal fight had. I’m not sure how this entire situation is going to end, but it’s not a good look right now. Many stars have issues, but the problem for Masvidal is that he doesn’t have the leverage that the other guys do. Jon Jones is considered to be the greatest of all time. He will likely get what he wants far before Masvidal gets what he wants. For fight fans, I really hope this situation gets resolved. But for now, we will all wait just like Jorge Masvidal.