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This discussion is still relevant: This transcript is from a congressional hearing that happened just a few days ago involving UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and a congressman.
Congressman: “If the UFC is considered a professional sport, then it should be on a merit-based rankings system, when the fans know the No. 1 contender actually has a shot at the title. Because we haven’t seen that at middleweight. How did Dan Henderson – and I like Dan Henderson, this is no knock on him – but he wasn’t even in the top-10, and when was he last in the top-10? He got to fight Bisping for the title shot. Did the (No.) 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 ranked contenders refuse?
Marc Ratner: “When Dan Henderson fought Michael Bisping, it was a natural rematch from a fight four or five years ago,”
Congressman: “But then it wasn’t a title shot, but yet it was for a title shot. Then that means the world championship belt that the UFC has isn’t really a world championship belt. It’s really what (UFC Chief Operating Officer) Lawrence Epstein personally told me: It’s simply an award they bestow on the best fighter that night. That’s insulting to every professional athlete.”
“How did (Georges St-Pierre) get a fight for the title when he hasn’t had a fight in four years, much less at 185 pounds, where he never fought for the belt?”
Marc Ratner: “St-Pierre hadn’t fought in four years, you’re absolutely right,”
Congressman: “So how did he get a title shot?”
Marc Ratner: “St-Pierre was a former champion, a former pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, according to our...”
Congressman: “So he still didn’t fight for a title, he fought for an award bestowed upon the best fighter of the night.”
Congressman: “When you say boxers are treated like MMA fighters, clarify that statement that you’re talking about the health of the fighter, but not the professional ranking system, and not about the financial disclosures, because there are distinct differences,” said Mullin, who represents Oklahoma’s 2nd district in the house. “And the Ali Act is the backstop to boxers. There is no backstop for MMA fighter. It’s take it or leave it, and that’s why I say the UFC has become the Don King of MMA.”
Congressman: “What about Nate Diaz, who was dropped from the UFC because he was involved in contract negotiations? He was trying to negotiate with the UFC and they dropped him, is that true?”
Marc Ratner: “I don’t pay attention to the rankings, but I’m sure that...”
Congressman: “You are involved in it all the time. Was he not dropped from the UFC?”
Marc Ratner: “He’s still under contract to us...”
Congressman: “I’m talking about at the time.”
Marc Ratner: “I’m sure you’ll see him fight again.”
Congressman: “I know that, but the answer to that is yes. And we go back to the same thing. When you were saying that boxers and MMA fighters are treated the same way, what I’m trying to draw here is that they are not even close. When you make a broad statement like that, you are misleading Congress...”
Marc Ratner: “Not at all”
Congressman: “...and you are misleading the American people. When you make those statements, clarify specifically on what it is you are talking about, because once again you are talking about the health of the fighter. The Ali Act deals with the compensation of the fighter. It also deals with a merit-based ranking system.”
Congressman: “If the UFC is considered a professional sport, then it should be on a merit-based rankings system, when the fans know the No. 1 contender actually has a shot at the title. Because we haven’t seen that at middleweight. How did Dan Henderson – and I like Dan Henderson, this is no knock on him – but he wasn’t even in the top-10, and when was he last in the top-10? He got to fight Bisping for the title shot. Did the (No.) 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 ranked contenders refuse?
Marc Ratner: “When Dan Henderson fought Michael Bisping, it was a natural rematch from a fight four or five years ago,”
Congressman: “But then it wasn’t a title shot, but yet it was for a title shot. Then that means the world championship belt that the UFC has isn’t really a world championship belt. It’s really what (UFC Chief Operating Officer) Lawrence Epstein personally told me: It’s simply an award they bestow on the best fighter that night. That’s insulting to every professional athlete.”
“How did (Georges St-Pierre) get a fight for the title when he hasn’t had a fight in four years, much less at 185 pounds, where he never fought for the belt?”
Marc Ratner: “St-Pierre hadn’t fought in four years, you’re absolutely right,”
Congressman: “So how did he get a title shot?”
Marc Ratner: “St-Pierre was a former champion, a former pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, according to our...”
Congressman: “So he still didn’t fight for a title, he fought for an award bestowed upon the best fighter of the night.”
Congressman: “When you say boxers are treated like MMA fighters, clarify that statement that you’re talking about the health of the fighter, but not the professional ranking system, and not about the financial disclosures, because there are distinct differences,” said Mullin, who represents Oklahoma’s 2nd district in the house. “And the Ali Act is the backstop to boxers. There is no backstop for MMA fighter. It’s take it or leave it, and that’s why I say the UFC has become the Don King of MMA.”
Congressman: “What about Nate Diaz, who was dropped from the UFC because he was involved in contract negotiations? He was trying to negotiate with the UFC and they dropped him, is that true?”
Marc Ratner: “I don’t pay attention to the rankings, but I’m sure that...”
Congressman: “You are involved in it all the time. Was he not dropped from the UFC?”
Marc Ratner: “He’s still under contract to us...”
Congressman: “I’m talking about at the time.”
Marc Ratner: “I’m sure you’ll see him fight again.”
Congressman: “I know that, but the answer to that is yes. And we go back to the same thing. When you were saying that boxers and MMA fighters are treated the same way, what I’m trying to draw here is that they are not even close. When you make a broad statement like that, you are misleading Congress...”
Marc Ratner: “Not at all”
Congressman: “...and you are misleading the American people. When you make those statements, clarify specifically on what it is you are talking about, because once again you are talking about the health of the fighter. The Ali Act deals with the compensation of the fighter. It also deals with a merit-based ranking system.”