White: Media rankings panel will be reduced in size
Dana White: “I want guys, legitimate guys who are very credible and ethical, we are going to work on that. Listen, I’m all about fair.”
The apparel partnership between the UFC and Reebok is basically a sponsorship for each fighter in the league. Although the UFC takes nothing, igher ranked fighters get a larger cut of the pie than do lower ranked fighters. In order to calculate the size of the pie slice, the UFC is relying on their rankings, which are generated by a media panel.
Tier 1: Champion
Tier 2: Fighters ranked #1-5
Tier 3: Fighters ranked #6-10
Tier 4: Fighters ranked #11-15
Tier 5: Fighters not ranked in the top 15
Former UFC fighter and current manager Charles McCarthy was candid about how managers are likely to react.
You hear that and, as a manager, your first thought is, ‘How do I influence the rankings?’ he said.
UFC president Dana White spoke recently with Ariel Helwani, and said he will be refining the group that determines ranking.
“I’m looking for a smaller group of people to be involved in the rankings,” said White. “I want guys – legitimate guys – that I know are very credible and ethical. We are going to work on that. Listen, I’m all about fair – I want what is fair, for everybody.
“And the other thing is, when you look at the deal, and getting the fighters all the money, and getting involved in this thing – a fighter can go out this Saturday, and fight, and have a set of sponsors. (S/he) can go out two months later and have a completely different set of sponsors. We’ve seen that happen many times.
“With Reebok, every time they step in there, they are getting paid, just like they would from a sponsor. And they get 20 percent on the back end – anything that sells with their name on it, they are getting 20 percent of. Now they are invested in something. It’s almost like their own little business that they have. There is going to be individuality. There are going to be different looks of things that fighters can put their own tweaks on things.
“And, is this thing going to be perfect right out of the gate? No. It’s new. It’s going to be a work in progress. But it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
“I guarantee you the up and comers, the guys who are walking in the door for the first time, this is more money than they would have got.”
So what do you think UG? Is Chris still going to get to vote?