Borris: Multiple organizing efforts is muddying the waters

There are presently at least three groups seeking to organize MMA fighters.

Robert Maysey formed the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association in 2009. Prominent members of the group include Randy Couture, Jon Fitch, Cung Le, Nate Quarry, and Leslie Smith. They organized a massive class action suit against the UFC, and have a bill in committee to expand the Muhammad Ali act to MMA. The extension would mean that promoters, any promoter with the capital, would have to pay the best fighters to put on the best fights. Fighters would be independent contactors, free over time to fight where ever pays them the most. Organizations would each have their own belt, but it would not be the world championship.

In August, baseball agent Jeff Borris launched the Professional Fighters Association. His goal is to unionize UFC fighters. Fighters are currently classified as independent contractors, and as such, do not have the right to strike. It would likely require a court battle to get them reclassified as employees. Prominent members of the group include no one, since Leslie Smith cut ties with Borris, citing concerns over confidentiality. Borris says he has support from countless active fighters, but they are afraid to come forward.

On November 30, Bellator MMA founder Bjorn Rebney announced the debut of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association. Prominent members of the group include Georges St-Pierre, Cain Velasquez, Tim Kennedy, TJ Dillashaw, and to an unknown degree, Donald Cerrone. Goals of the group include a media campaign to force the UFC into bargaining, with the eventual goal of getting the UFC to accept a union and an anti-trust exemption, like that enoyed by the NFL. They say fighters at present make about 8% of total revenue, and want to expand that to 50%. Doubts have been raised about the true goals of and role played by Rebney and CAA, the arch rival of new UFC owners WME-IMG.

Attornies for the MMAFA’s anti-trust suit recently sent the MMAAA a Cease and Desist letter. The MMAAA has said that the MMAFA’s plan takes way too long, and that the PFA’s plan takes too long, too.

Borris spoke recently with Marc Raimondi for MMA Fighting and said that the intra-organizing-effort arguments aren’t good for the sport.

“I think that although the heart and the intentions of all three factions might be in the right place, all this does is set back the movement because I think it muddies the waters and provides confusion for the fighters,” said Borris.

The baseball agent also argued for the PFA’s plans over those of the MMAFA and MMAAA.

“The difference between the associations and a union is the associations have no teeth,” said Borris. “Unless you’re recognized by the National Labor Relations Board, where the employer is compelled to bargain in good faith with the employees, the associations have no teeth. They’re voluntary. You can join, you don’t have to join. Being a part of a union that’s certified by the National Labor Relations Board is totally different.”

“What’s interesting about the fighters and the anonymity, this overwhelming fear the fighters have of retaliation from the UFC, eventually they’re gonna have to stand up to these bullies. I know that after speaking with many mixed martial artists, many of them actually went into these disciplines because they were bullied as small children. This was a way for them to learn self-defense and protect themselves. They understand what it is to be bullied and to stand up. Well, there comes a time and a place for these fighters to have to stand up. So the anonymity is gonna have to go out the window sooner or later.”

“Right now the fighters are in a rear-naked choke from the UFC and they can’t even tap out.”

UFC president Dana recently commented on the situation and offered a warning about Bjorn Rebney’s MMAAA.

I’m not mad at all [at the fighters], said White. At the end of the day here is the reality – The fighters can go out and do what they want to do — they are all grown men. We all have paths to walk down in life and this is what these guys [decided to do].

The only thing that I need to know is that the biggest scumbag in the history of combat sports, Bjork, is involved in this thing. Listen, there are three unions out there right now battling against each other. And, if you’re a fighter, all these guys are looking to get in your pocket — it’s a business where guys are going to make money. As a fighter, if this is what you want to do, you need to figure our whose hand you want in your pocket. And I guarantee you don’t want Bjork’s hand in your pocket.