There are currently at least three unionization efforts underway. The first in the MMAFA, which has among other things a class action lawsuit underway against the UFC, and Federal legislation before the US congress. The second was the PFA; in early November attorney Lucas Middlebrook said a nine-member board might be announced at the end of the month. Instead, Middlebrook left and UFC bantamweight Leslie Smith issued an open apology for introducing fighters to founder Jeff Boris. The latest is the Bjorn Rebney-founded MMAAA, which seeks to exchange UFC recognition of a union for an anti-trust exemption similar to that enjoyed by the NFL.
A number of Brazilian fighters have reportedly identified Belfort as a suitable figure to lead a fighter’s union. In a conversation with Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting, Belfort said he thought a union could solve some of the issues facing the sport, that he didn’t know the positions taken by the three organizing efforts and that none had reached out to him, and that any union should work with and not against the UFC. The Phenom, 39, also noted some changes he would press for if he ran a union, including a masters division.
“I’m a smart guy,” said Belfort. “And the smartest thing in the world is to not side [with something] if you don’t know who’s the leader and what are his motivations. I’m glad that fighters that are part of the history of the sport see me this way, but it’s important for fighters to realize that it’s time to have a fighters’ union. There’s unions for everything, there’s a union even for prostitutes, and we won’t have one for fighters? It’s time for the athlete to have his union.”
“For me to be part of something, I have to be in the leadership. If you just want to use my image, I won’t let anyone do that, Belfort said. “I don’t think we have to go against the UFC. We have to be together and work together. You have to remember that the same way we want to fight for our rights, we have to understand their rights, too. You need to know that.”
“And it’s not only the UFC, he continued. “There are several promotions. People talk about the UFC, but it’s wonderful for the sport. We are grateful, but there should be a law that benefits every combat sports athlete.”
“I think there should be a health insurance for fighters, they should allow sponsors like the ATP does, and they should create a league of legends, to bring back fighters fans love. Those would be my three changes. And get rid of elbows so there would be no blood. Big companies want to be associated with fights if there are no bloody fights.”
