Media Dana White: "We're working it out" regarding Wonderboy pay issue

[Striker Fox]

I can see both sides to the argument, and Wonderboy is a great guy, but if I'm the UFC and offered him a piece of Peireira's purse, then a new opponent, and he still refused, there's no way I'm paying him when his absence impacts the PPV. It was only a couple of pounds overweight too. Nobody would ever fight again if their opponent misses weight when they know they're getting paid regardless.

 

[Uber_Noober]

Daner makes that statement while down $250,000 at the casino

 

[Corrado Soprano]

Dana can’t pay Wonderboy but will give his teenage youtube friends $250k.

 

[Senzo Tanaka]

To be fair, the UFC contracts state that you don't simply get paid for showing up to fight - you get paid after the fight as your "show money". It stinks that your opponent pulls out and you trained and made weight for nothing but you don't get paid for that. I disagree with that being in the contract and I think it's cool that UFC has paid guys before when this has happened but they contractually don't have to.

It would be like being a plumber and having a service call changed to a slightly more difficult job. I think it's fair to ask for more money but the employer isn't obligated and if it gets cancelled, it would be like asking to get paid for a job you didn't do. No contractor companies will pay you for something you didn't do unless it's off the table and they are just being nice.

UFC has scumbag contracts but the fighters should know what's in them. You are welcome to complain about things in your contract but you ultimately signed it and it seemingly wasn't a sticking point for you.

 

[flowoftruth]

BS. He showed up ready - it’s not his fault his opponent did not.

God, I hate this garbage organization sometimes. Their greed and lack of respect for fighters is despicable.

It also sets a messed up precedent if you force guys into taking fights if they want to get paid. Might as well show up at 205 to fight at WW.

how is it the ufc's fault ?

 

[richardjohnson]

I think he’ll get something but definitely not his full show money

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

Dana is a greedy, corrupt, selfish, manipulative, remorseless, woman-abusing, womanizing, terrifying, backstabbing, spineless, boastful, cowardly, lying, cruel, grumpy, untrustworthy, unforgiving psychopathic, thieving, hatred-spewing, self-centered, disorganized, apprehensive, condescending, narrow-minded, dishonorable, feeble-minded, incomprehensible, potato munching, morally bankrupt, unfriendly, bitter, careless, vindictive, sociopathic douchebag

 

[CasualBot]

You get paid a different (Lower) amount per year when turning down 3 fights.

The fact this is complicated to the media, or fans, is mind boggling.

Wonderboy will be booked after dec 2. Wait and see.

(side note: fuck the ufc/dana, not shilling... this is really straight forward)

 

[Uncertainly Principled]

BS. He showed up ready - it’s not his fault his opponent did not.

God, I hate this garbage organization sometimes. Their greed and lack of respect for fighters is despicable.

It also sets a messed up precedent if you force guys into taking fights if they want to get paid. Might as well show up at 205 to fight at WW.

The extra layer on top of it all is that Wonderboy has been a model company man for his entire tenure in the UFC and he's very near the end of his career. Even in his recent interview with Ariel, WB was extremely cautious in not besmirching the UFC brand or Dana.

Like someone said in the other thread, no one should be surprised, but its a crummy way to play it.

Technically, legally, Wonderboy refusing the amended fight contract that would've been offered means he refused the fight.

From a tax perspective etc, can the UFC just give him his show money? I kinda doubt it.

If they haven't reimbursed him for travel & expenses obviously that's next-level scumbaggery, but his contracted monies are naturally affected by him turning down the fight.

Of course it's disgusting.

but...

Maybe it's something that fighters managers should start to fight for in their contract. If my opponent doesn't make it to the fight, misses weight, whatever, the fighter will get at least the show money, or 50%, or some flat fee.

Can't have them in situations like these, where it depends on the mood of their bosses.

Best case scenario for Wonderboy is probably expenses, travel + hush money/"appearance fees" or some shit, but yeah this scenario should've been covered in his contract

eta: Didn't answer the poll, because Wonderboy'll get paid, but extremely doubtful he's getting that whole show money

 

[wwkirk]

I do believe Wonderboy will be paid something. Not the full amount, but some meaningful amount. Whatever they do, it could set a precedent.

 

[Pechan]

What's even the point of making weight if the only consequences is you lose 20% of your pay?

 

[Ozze]

It would be like being a plumber and having a service call changed to a slightly more difficult job. I think it's fair to ask for more money but the employer isn't obligated and if it gets cancelled, it would be like asking to get paid for a job you didn't do. No contractor companies will pay you for something you didn't do unless it's off the table and they are just being nice.

But in this case is more like you made the plumber spend months coming up with a solution for the problem, he spent money buying all the necessary supplies and tools and now you decided to change the job.

But like you said, it's in the contract. May this be a lesson for the fighters and managers to get this situation in writing as well so they are covered beforehand.

Surprised it's not, considering the number of fights that get canceled.

 

[wwkirk]

They'll probably green light paying some partial amount to Wonderboy. They have to be careful as they might wind up setting a precedent.

 

[sdpdude9]

These fighters need a union. I think the fair thing to do is paid show money, counts as fight off contract. UFC’s contracts give them way too much power.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

I want everyone reading this thread to understand - Dana is not nor has he ever been a “friend” to any fighter, ever, even the ones he managed (i.e. Chuck).

He’s the head of an organization that has incredible value specifically because it’s designed to exploit it’s fighters to incalculable degrees.

Anything done to help one fighter becomes a precedent to help other fighters. Helping fighters hurts the company’s bottom line. They aren’t there to help fighters, they are there to exploit them as much as they are legally allowed to.

 

[Paolo Delutis]

Ill have to say no after reading this bullshit...

Fucking Thompson did everything he was supposed to ... And his opponent fucked it all up and then he doesnt get paid ..

Its pretty shameful, to be honest..

Sets a bad look that you have to fight disadvantaged just to get paid...thats simply not fair ...this is their careers...

Im telling you the UFC should just start making the offending party liable for damages and have to pay back to the UFC for miss weight payments...

You watch how fast people start making weight..

This is legalizing weight cutters to cheat ...u dont even have to make weight ..ull still get to fight and get paid ..

Stupid AS FUCK

 

[BSquared]

I can see both sides to the argument, and Wonderboy is a great guy, but if I'm the UFC and offered him a piece of Peireira's purse, then a new opponent, and he still refused, there's no way I'm paying him when his absence impacts the PPV. It was only a couple of pounds overweight too. Nobody would ever fight again if their opponent misses weight when they know they're getting paid regardless.

Good. Then maybe the organization will put pressure on the fighters that fail to make weight instead of always letting them fight with a competitive edge.

 

[HockeyBjj]

Dana forcing him to take a shit matchup to get his back pay from his opponent fucking up

 

[ChimRichalds]

Dana is a greedy, corrupt, selfish, manipulative, remorseless, woman-abusing, womanizing, terrifying, backstabbing, spineless, boastful, cowardly, lying, cruel, grumpy, untrustworthy, unforgiving psychopathic, thieving, hatred-spewing, self-centered, disorganized, apprehensive, condescending, narrow-minded, dishonorable, feeble-minded, incomprehensible, potato munching, morally bankrupt, unfriendly, bitter, careless, vindictive, sociopathic douchebag

 

[RightToBareKnuckles]

there's another thread with 19 pages, that covers all of this...yes it might be the right thing to do to pay him but just not how it works contractually/legally whatever

https://forums.sherdog.com/threads/wonderboy-didnt-get-his-show-money.4301194/page-19