Lauzon discusses fighter GoFundMe for corner expenses
Joe Lauzon discusses fighter GoFundMe for corner expenses
UFC lightweight Paul ‘The Irish Dragon’ Felder recently started a $7,000 GoFundMe to help bring his coaching staff to UFC Fight Night 95 on September 24, 2016 at Ginásio Nilson Nelson in Brasília, Brazil.
It raised $2,900, including $100 from Sage Northcutt, before Felder closed it to further donations, perhaps in response to criticism. While there was a great deal of support, some of the criticism was scathing.
For the vast majority of fighters, the UFC covers two flights and one hotel room for the week. Fighters are allowed up to three corners, so many fighters choose to pay for an additional flight or flights, or room or rooms, for coaches, friends, spouses, etc.
Fellow UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon blogged that he typically flies two more people out for the event, and for example got an Air BnB house for the week for $1,200 rather than the room, which the UFC kicked him back around $600 for.
Still, things can get crowded.
Lauzon characterized Felder’s GoFundMe as “odd.”
“If my landscapers did a GoFundMe to cover their gas fees, I wouldn’t be donating because it’s a cost of doing business,” said JLau. “I think his flights are a cost of doing business just like paying coaches, paying for equipment, paying for food, etc. That’s why my landscapers get paid, to cover their expenses… and that’s why we fight, to cover our expenses.”
“That being said, he is more than welcome to run a GoFundMe for anything he wants. Anyone can do whatever they want… doesn’t mean people will donate. He is being upfront about what the money will be used for, so if people want to donate and help him out that is awesome.”
Lauzon expanded on the remarks in an interview with Ben Fowlkes for MMAjunkie.
Ben Fowlkes: I could see an argument that, if we want fighters to get to that point later in their careers where they’re big names and big draws, we need to make it viable for them when they’re just starting out. If they’re having to pay out of pocket just to get their coaches to the fight, does that not risk stunting the growth and development of the sport?
Joe Lauzon: I think choosing to be a professional fighter is choosing to have a difficult career. There are so many things you have to do. You have to train. You have to find someone to manage your career. If you find a manager, it has to be worth it to you. For me, I handle that myself, so I’m not giving away that 10 or 20 percent. I pay my coaches and I pay them well, but I’m capable of handling my own stuff. But if I wasn’t capable, and if I couldn’t afford to pay someone to do it for me, then this is not the career I should be doing.
For me, I fought two times in six weeks and I made a lot of money. I’m incredibly thankful to be in that position, but it didn’t start out like that. I think I made close to 300 grand between the two fights, with show money, bonuses, sponsors, the whole deal. I think that’s really awesome. I made $300,000 in six weeks. But I’ve been doing this a long time.
My first couple fights in the UFC, I went back to work at my job on Monday. It’s not like, ‘I’m in the UFC, so I’ve made it.’ Now you see some guys coming in, thinking they’re going to make big money, and I kind of think it’s for the wrong reason. Don’t come in here and think it’s just a great way to make big money, then be upset that there aren’t more ways to make money. If you’re here, be happy. There’re tons of people who work their butts off and make way less money than we make.