Mixed martial arts fans received a wake up call this week when negotiations stalled between San Jose-based Strikeforce and Fedor Emelianenko’s M-1 Global. While M-1 Global have blamed interruptions on issues with “co-promotion” and brand recognition, industry insiders speculate monetary compensation is the primary hold up.
“I always thought fighters got in the cage, you know, for me,” said Mark Blugruth, 40, of Richmond, VA. “I always imagined these guys were fighting to win over my favor. Like, I was some ancient king or something.”
Emelianenko’s situation is not unique. B.J. Penn left the UFC in 2005 to fight in Japan for a far great payday. Perhaps most famously, Randy Couture went as far as “resigning” from the UFC in late 2007 in a bid to cash in for a fight with the enigmatic Russian.
Jeremy Rothscoe is a lifelong MMA fan and plumber in southern Michigan. Rothscoe believes fighters chasing the almighty dollar to be shameless.
“These guys fight under the big, bright lights and think they’re something special,” said Rothscoe, who also moonlights in drag. “I’ll let you in on a little secret: these guys love fighting. You shouldn’t get paid for something you love to do. You don’t see me asking for a paycheck every time I watch a sunrise or check out the soccer moms at the park.”
Jim Fontana wants to know just who these guys think they are.
“I would be fired for some of the things these guys get away with,” said Fontana, who was later fired from his post as an air traffic controller for participating in this interview on the clock.
There may not be a bigger fan of MMA than UFC President Dana White. White says he has to deal with this greed first hand, and it disgusts him every day.
“Listen, I’m trying to run a business,” said White during a charity event for wealthy victims of male pattern baldness. “If it was up to me, these guys would be fighting for [fucking] free.”
