Justin Gaethje Defends Dana White Over Fighters’ Pay but Criticises One-Way UFC Contracts in Latest Podcast

There’s been a lot of noise about the fighter’s pay in the UFC. Recently, Tony Ferguson called out Dana White over the issue during a UFC 274 press conference. Justin Gaethje also chimed in on the fighters’ pay debate. However, he had a different opinion than Ferguson had .

Gaethje will be challenging for the UFC lightweight title against reigning champion, Charles Oliveira, on Sunday. He appeared on the Full Send podcast recently and talked about many issues, including his dislike for Colby Covington, fighting Conor McGregor, and the UFC fighters’ pay.

The host asked him about his thoughts on Dana White getting criticism for the lack of money the fighters get. And Gaethje gave his honest thoughts on the same.

“Yeah, yeah I think it’s fair,” said Gaethje. 

‘The Highlight‘ further said, “I mean… My coach Luke, he fought in the UFC in 2002 and he got…” The host interrupted him and joked, “Dana gave a bag of skittles and a bag of peanuts?”

Gaethje answered and explained, “Pretty much. Yeah, he lost and made three thousand dollars and so there is a… it’s a process in ten years my five to a million will be two to seven million for these guys and it’s just the process of the sport. We have 1992 is when the UFC you know started.”

“And so we’ve been around for you know what is that 30 years. Football, baseball, basketball talking like 60, 70, 80 years and so it’s just a progression in where we’re going,” Gaethje added.

DALLAS, TX – MAY 12: Justin Gaethje speaks to the media during the UFC Summer Kickoff Press Conference at the American Airlines Center on May 12, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Despite defending Dana White over fighters’ pay, Gaethje criticized the one-sided contracts that the UFC offer to the fighters. He said, “Yeah so the argument is every other sport has representation and we don’t. The perfect example is… we can’t quit we can’t leave and they can fire us anytime. That’s my biggest gripe… I can’t leave if I want to leave but you can fire me whenever you want. There’s no protection in the contract for me but it’s all for you.”

Obviously, it is a matter of perspective whether or not the UFC pays their fighters enough. It is also important to note the fundamental difference between other sports leagues and UFC.

Read More: How much of the UFC does Dana White own?

Some also believe that the fighters are themselves responsible for the contracts they get into.

Dana White reveals latest UFC venture to save money

The UFC has been spending a lot of money on renting out hotels since the pandemic started. However, UFC president Dana White has come up with a solution to tackle that in the future.

During an interview with Yahoo Sport’s UFC journalist Kevin Iole, Dana White revealed UFC’s plans to build their own hotel in the coming future. He said, “Yes, we’re building our own hotel. It’ll be right here on the property and yeah, it’ll save us a ton of money… I think the hotel will actually go up on this other side, where the dirt is over here, across if you pull in our main gate at the headquarters here. The hotel will be there…”

He also revealed plans to expand the UFC Apex arena and explained its future after the pandemic is over.

Who are you supporting in the UFC 274 main event title fight between Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira? Let us know in the comments section.

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