The Punk: UFC to Bellator switch ‘just business’
“I was willing to go ahead and fight out my contract. I don’t have a problem with the UFC. They run their business. I treated this like a business negotiation.”
Lightweight Josh ‘The Punk’ Thomson recently left the UFC to sign with Bellator, following a three-fight losing streak. Thomson first fight in the UFC was a performance bonus winning head kick KO of Nate Diaz. He then lost to Benson Henderson via Split Decision, Bobby Green by Split Decision, and Tony Ferguson by Unanimous Decision.
UFC president Dana White said that the fighter had not been offered a contract extension, effectively releasing him. Thomson acknowledged that that was the case, but pointed out he had been offered contract extensions following his previous two losses.
In a refreshing change from what often happens when a fighter leaves the UFC, there was no drama or rancor. Thomson said he appreciated his time in the UFC, but that the UFC contracts offered were not enough to avoid testing the open market, and that ultimately he found the Bellator contract to be a better fit, with the potential to be his most lucrative to date “by far.”
“I think people sometimes get the feeling that you’re taking a dig at the UFC when you’re stating facts,” said Thomson to Brett Okamoto, for ESPN.com. “You don’t need to put another organization down to make your organization look better.
“I was offered a contract extension [two fights ago]. They wanted to re-up me then, and I declined. I wasn’t very happy with the numbers. After my next fight [a split decision loss to Bobby Green in July 2014], they came back and offered another contract and even upped the pay a little. I still declined. I was willing to go ahead and fight out my contract. I don’t have a problem with the UFC. They run their business. I treated this like a business negotiation.”
Thomson said the Reebok deal was also a factor, as he made just the 2nd Tier $5,000 his last fight in the UFC, and that his sponsorship had previously netted him $60,000-80,000. It was not clear if that figure was per year, or per event.r contracts.
“My understanding is that we have to wear Reebok with the UFC,” said Thomson. “There’s no other option. Well, you get paid to wear Reebok but you only get paid in their program, whatever their pay scale is. I took my negotiations over to Bellator, where there is no sponsorship tax, so my sponsors can sponsor me directly.
“So, if I have a company that is sponsoring me for $20,000 per fight, my sponsors aren’t getting taxed by Bellator, which is more money in my pocket. You can’t say that the UFC can match that. They just can’t.”
Thomson again made clear he is not criticizing the Reebo Deal of the UFC’s business structure. He simply looked at the two from a business point of view, and found that Bellator was the better fit.
“I’m excited to be with Bellator. I’m excited about this contract. I’m excited to start working with my sponsors again and see those extra checks coming in. It’s good.”
Thomson will make his league debut against Mike The Greek Assassin Bronzoulis on the main card at Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1 on September 19 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
The “Big Tent” event will feature Tito Ortiz challenging undefeated Bellator light heavyweight world champion, Liam McGeary for the title in the main event. Plus there will be a one-night, four-man, light heavyweight contender tournament with Phil Davis, Emanuel Newton, Linton Vassell, and Muhammed King Mo Lawal. And there will be two Glory kickboxing title fights featuring Zack Mwekassa (13-2, 12 KO) and Saulo Cavalari (31-2, 19 KO) for the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship as well as Gabriel Varga (26-2, 8 KO) defending his featherweight title against challenger Serhiy Adamchuck (29-5, 14 KO). Bellator MMA competitors Paul Semtex Daley and Fernando The Menifee Maniac Gonzalez will also be competing in Glory action.