UFC partnered with legendary WWE wrestler and Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on the footwear deal in January.
The tweet above was put out yesterday and many weren’t happy when they found out the truth of the partnership.
UFC fighters are independent contractors, the UFC is using this partnership with The Rock to exploit their talent, not pay them a single dime to wear the shoes and the UFC is requiring fighters do interviews with Johnson’s media company Seven Bucks.
Retired UFC fighter Nate Quarry commented on the Rock’s tweet asking him to join fighters in making a change happen by supporting the Ali Expansion Act.
For those who don’t know what the Ali Expansion Act is, here’s some help.
Introduced in 2017 by Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R, Okla.), himself a former professional MMA fighter, the bill essentially expands the definitions of sports and fighters covered by the original Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000, as well as the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. Those bills applied only to boxing and boxers, outlining a legal framework on issues like contract structure and length, as well as financial disclosures that promoters were required to provide to fighters following their bouts. In short, they placed some rules and limitations on boxing promoters, who had previously enjoyed very few.
The UFC keeps finances a guarded secret that can lock fighters down in long-term contracts with things like the UFC’s so-called “champion’s clause,” which allows the promoter to extend a fighter’s contract if they’re the world champion at its conclusion.
“The way it works right now, if you get a UFC contract, it’s a take-it-or-leave-it mentality,” Mullin said in 2016. “The UFC controls the rankings system. You control the rankings system, you control the fighters. Because the only way you’re going to fight at the top level is if you get ranked by them. This language specifically says that a third party will have the jurisdiction to have a true rankings system. Then if you’re fighting for a championship belt, you’ll know it’s because you deserve it, not because the guy above you wouldn’t sign a contract slanted toward the organization and not the fighter.”
The Rock says this partnership is anchored in hard work & legacy. However the hard work is being 100% put in by the fighters, not just matchmakers, sponsors ticket and PPV sales or ratings.
The legacy left behind is by fighters overall, you don’t really talk about who booked it, just the excitement you had when you witnessed two fighters put on a classic showdown.
This doesn’t help the fighters who don’t earn great fighter pay nor are they not allowed to talk about it because of the promotions tactics to shut down arguments fighters about better pay.
The Rock says these shoes are for the hardest workers in the room, for those that walk the walk. Yet if those who are hard working and walk the walk go out to compete and put their lives on the line. Why don’t they get paid to put on the gear they’re required to wear?
Fighters will be required starting this Saturday at UFC Paris: Gane vs. Tuivasa to wear these shoes, do the required interviews and will not be paid a dime for it.
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