Huerta not happy with the UFC

T-Bone · 07-31-2008, 10:55 AM

Someone sounds like he's tired of being a pawn and wants to get paid.

The Big Bad Baldman is not gonna be happy.

http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/07/31...-with-the-ufc/

Quote:

Add “El Matador” to the list of UFC stars who’ve become publicly displeased with the organization’s low wages and lack of respect. MMA Payout passes along an excerpt from a new article in Fight! Magazine — written by occasional CagePotato commenter Neal Taflinger — in which Roger Huerta does some serious venting:

Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles. It sounds like a a good deal until you factor in time away from training, friends, and family, days often stretch twelve hours or more, and an exchange rate of one UK pound for two American dollars. “Why do you think I don’t do PR for the UFC any more?” he asks.

He’s also unhappy with the terms of his current contract, but to Huerta, the press tours underscore a larger point: by and the large, Zuffa does not treat its contracted fighters with sufficient loyalty or respect. He argues that many UFC fighters barely make enough to cover their training expenses. He brings up teammate Keith Jardine repeatedly, incensed that a main event fighter is working for ten and ten- $10k to show and 10k to win — while his opponent regularly makes ten times as much.

…

“The truth is, I don’t really care if I fight in the UFC or somewhere else,” Huerta says. The fighter says he understands that Zuffa has to keep an eye on the bottom line, but he wants to work, “For a company that is as loyal to me as I am to them.”

For the record, Huerta made $38,000 for his last fight, against Clay Guida at the TUF 6 finale in December ($19,000 to show and $19,000 to win). That’s definitely a bit low, considering Huerta’s popularity — though if you believe those rumors that he’s sleeping with Arianny Celeste, and you factor in the dollar value of something like that, that number becomes much, much higher.

With leagues like EliteXC and Affliction eager to build their rosters (and pay UFC refugees what they’re worth, if not more), we can understand the lure of wanting bigger money elsewhere — and unpaid promotional work that requires travel is total fu**ing horse****. But Huerta needs to watch his tongue in public. Though he may hope that Dana White sees the article and reacts by catering to all of Roger’s demands, that’s usually not the way it goes in the UFC, which is infamous for its “if you don’t like it, lump it” attitude towards fighters and their contracts. Huerta could find himself on the business end of a freeze-out like Andrei Arlovski, who was punished for his contract complaints by being benched for almost a year then given an undercard match against Jake O’Brien for his last UFC fight. I personally don’t think that would be the UFC’s wisest move with Huerta when the competition is offering as much money and respect as fighters can handle, but Dana White is a stubborn man, and he isn’t here to make friends.

Crashsti · 07-31-2008, 11:17 AM

It's common knowledge that the UFC takes care of some and lets the rest fight over crumbs.So if fighters like Huerta are serious about getting things changed they need to work with other fighters who feel the same. Randy proved that airing your dirty laundry in public isn't the best route to take. Huerta, who is not Randy Couture should be careful what he wishes for.

DISCO · 07-31-2008, 11:25 AM

One word: Unionize.

Sonic Death Monkey · 07-31-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DISCO

One word: Unionize.

True.

In time Dana needs to drop his "I want fighters who want fight against the best competition and for love of the sport" attitude, because with MMA's growing popularity those fights will soon fight against the best competition... but in another organization for a reasonable paycheck.

Crashsti · 07-31-2008, 11:48 AM

A Union would never work in MMA. A fighters best bet is to go to another promotion and hope to get paid better. Just for the record its not like EliteXC was handing out 6 figure paycheck left and right at thier last event. Huerta is doing well for a guy who is finally getting his shot at someone who at least fought for a UFC belt. I don't see why he thinks he is so special.

AikaImmortal · 07-31-2008, 11:50 AM

Huerta is more marketing hype to get the latino population interested in MMA, rather than Boxing, as the community has always been staunch boxing supporters bringing in lots of money to the sport. He's nothing special.

T-Bone · 07-31-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashsti

A Union would never work in MMA. A fighters best bet is to go to another promotion and hope to get paid better. Just for the record its not like EliteXC was handing out 6 figure paycheck left and right at thier last event. Huerta is doing well for a guy who is finally getting his shot at someone who at least fought for a UFC belt. I don't see why he thinks he is so special.

I hear ya but ya gotta admit, this part is sad (if true of course)

Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles. It sounds like a a good deal until you factor in time away from training, friends, and family, days often stretch twelve hours or more, and an exchange rate of one UK pound for two American dollars. “Why do you think I don’t do PR for the UFC any more?” he asks.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 07-31-2008, 11:54 AM

with mma growing, comes more whiney athletes like in other sports... sick of hearing about complaints 24\7....

Crashsti · 07-31-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone

I hear ya but ya gotta admit, this part is sad (if true of course)

Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles. It sounds like a a good deal until you factor in time away from training, friends, and family, days often stretch twelve hours or more, and an exchange rate of one UK pound for two American dollars. “Why do you think I don’t do PR for the UFC any more?” he asks.

Hmm..you have to figure that the UFC probably flew him out to all those places and put him in a hotel. Also, maybe one reason for his popularity is that he did these ****ty PR gigs. i can see his point of view, the time away from training especially. But these days its part of being a marketable fighter. I still think fighters get screwed but there is also a pretty good reason why the UFC hasn't been in financial difficulty in ages. They do what needs to be done to keep the promotion afloat. He can always go to Affliction and hope they don't fold after a few events. I am sure Dana isn't kind to people who come crawling back for work. Huerta will get his time in the sun if he is good enough to take out Kenny and set up a possible match with Penn.

ToeZup · 07-31-2008, 11:58 AM

Interesting info. I'm any other venue would like pick him up. He is very marketable. I wonder what he has left in his contract with the UFC.

asronn · 07-31-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPALLTHEWAY

with mma growing, comes more whiney athletes like in other sports... sick of hearing about complaints 24\7....

lol...I wondered how long it would take you to defend the UFC on this. How long is Ventre going to hold out? lol

Sonic Death Monkey · 07-31-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crashsti

A Union would never work in MMA. A fighters best bet is to go to another promotion and hope to get paid better. Just for the record its not like EliteXC was handing out 6 figure paycheck left and right at thier last event. Huerta is doing well for a guy who is finally getting his shot at someone who at least fought for a UFC belt. I don't see why he thinks he is so special.

Yeah I agree a union isn't the best idea, but fighters could still work together. One fighter leaving for EliteXC isn't a big deal for Dana, but 5 good fighters leaving would be. Personally I wasn't talking about Huerta specifically, but low wages in the UFC for non superstars in general. With UFC making big money, the fighters deserves to get paid better.

T-Bone · 07-31-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Royale

One fighter leaving for EliteXC isn't a big deal for Dana, but 5 good fighters leaving would be. Personally I wasn't talking about Huerta specifically, but low wages in the UFC for non superstars in general. With UFC making big money, the fighters deserves to get paid better.

Huerta works closely with GSP...I wonder how he feels about this

Sonic Death Monkey · 07-31-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPALLTHEWAY

with mma growing, comes more whiney athletes like in other sports... sick of hearing about complaints 24\7....

I kinda natural to want to get paid what your worth, whether or not you love your job. They're bricks in a game and at this point in time the bricks are worth alot.

Sonic Death Monkey · 07-31-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone

Huerta works closely with GSP...I wonder how he feels about this

What are you implying?

DISCO · 07-31-2008, 12:32 PM

You'd think the UFC would get the hint with the whole Randy Couture mess. Can you imagine the free-for-all it would become if GSP and Huerta also get legally hamstrung from fighting any other circuits? Who'd stay in the UFC?

fullonshred · 07-31-2008, 12:38 PM

I can't believe Jardine has been fighting for $20,000 max in his fights. That is total crap. You fight Chuck and Wandy, you ought to gets paid! Not to mention whipping Forrest's ass.

AikaImmortal · 07-31-2008, 12:39 PM

Fightlinker.com » Blog Archive » Georges ain’t going nowhere

Dirty Fighter · 07-31-2008, 12:41 PM

The UFC likes to have their new contracts in place before the last fight takes place on the existing contract. With fighters wanting to leave I could see Dana bookshelving fighters before their last fights.

DISCO · 07-31-2008, 12:42 PM

Aikal

Couture used to talk like that too.