A former UFC champ revealed he received massive undisclosed bonuses, several fighters received suspensions and fines after testing positive for marijuana, and farm animals make good training partners, apparently. Huh?
Finding the proper response to much of the news finding its way into our social media feeds is becoming a tougher task every day. Nothing is surprising anymore, and there’s always more to the story. Leaving us with one reply: “huh?”
Last week, the recently retired Daniel Cormier discussed major undisclosed bonuses he received from Dana White, several fighters were suspended and fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for marijuana, and Michel Pereira talked about training with farm animals ahead of his fight at UFC Vegas 9. Huh?
The reason “huh?”, in its various forms, is such a quality reply is simple. The word is as versatile as a response gets, and while it may require some explanation, “huh?” is sometimes the only way to react to the news of today. Defined by Merriam-Webster as an interjection that’s “used to express surprise, disbelief, or confusion, or as an inquiry inviting affirmative reply”, “huh” or “huh?” can mean a lot of different things.
Despite some of the follies of evolution (see: Angry Rogan Fans), the development and growth of “huh” is something we should embrace. To be the change we want to see in the world, here are a few MMA stories last week that made us go “huh?”
Daniel Cormier reveals undisclosed bonuses from UFC career
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier received massive undisclosed bonuses throughout his career from the upper brass in the promotion. Huh.
"After I lost to [Jon] Jones, Lorenzo Fertitta gave me a million dollars. Him and Dana [White] gave me a million dollars."@dc_mma talks about some of his undisclosed bonuses and being happiest when he realized his life was going to change after becoming UFC champion. pic.twitter.com/AYULbozB9i
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 1, 2020
It’s always great when fighters get money. Especially a fighter like Cormier. But, what would be even better is if these massive undisclosed bonuses didn’t need to happen. If, crazy thought, all fighters were better compensated, and the need to use bonuses in such a way didn’t exist.
This would take control out of the hands of the promotion, and that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Rather than increasing the fighter’s share of the revenue, the billion dollar promotion can pick and choose which fighters they feel deserve adequate pay, help with healthcare costs, and more. While at the same time refusing to pay fighters like Ed Herman their contracted show money.
If fighters are ever going to unionize and argue for a greater share of revenue generated by their promotion, guys like Cormier will have to go against their self interest and take a stand against the people who have taken care of them in the past.
That’s a hard sell. But without the relative star power of major MMA names, any sort of unionization effort will fall short.
It’s 2020 and fighters are still getting suspended and fined for weed
Tim Elliott, Jamahal Hill, and Luis Pena all received fines and suspensions from the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for marijuana. Huh?
“Light heavyweight Jamahal Hill received a six-month suspension, while flyweight Tim Elliott and lightweight Luis Pena each got four-and-a-half month terms for positive pre-fight tests.
The fighters were fined a portion of their purses – amounting to 15 percent of their show purse. They were also asked to pay court costs in addition to providing clean drug tests at specific intervals and pay the fines – or reach a payment arrangement – prior to applying for another fight license in Nevada.” – via MMA Fighting
2020 has been stressful for everyone. Whether it’s social justice, COVID-19, or just paying rent and keeping the lights on, people are just trying to get by. If people need to smoke some weed to help them get by, then so be it. Instead, these guys are getting fined and suspended. For smoking weed. In 2020. Seriously.
Maybe Uncle Dana can help them out with some of those handy undisclosed bonuses.
Michel Pereira’s key to victory: training with farm animals
Ahead of the last fight on his UFC contract at UFC Vegas 9, Michel Pereira utilized farm animals as training partners. Huh?
“I trained with cows, working on taking them down, and running with horses,” said Pereira. We sincerely hope he releases video of that. Cow tipping might be a questionable pastime for bored rural teenagers, but taking down bovines is something else entirely. “I had different experiences with different animals. Just trying to work on different strategies, and bring something new to the octagon.” – via Cageside Press
Well, it worked. Pereira won his bout, and earned a Performance of the Night bonus too.
- At this point Pereira would be a fool to change things up. We’ll have to wait and see if one of these training partners eventually makes it into Pereira’s corner for a fight. Regardless, they deserve a portion of that $50K bonus.
Michel Pereira back to his usual antics 🕺 #UFCVegas9 pic.twitter.com/fwItI0pTgU
— UFC (@ufc) September 6, 2020
Daniel Cormier received major undisclosed bonuses throughout his career. Which is great for him, but not for the state of fighter pay. Just ask the guys who got suspended and fined for testing positive for marijuana. While Michel Pereira didn’t test positive for anything, one might’ve suspected he would after he revealed his latest training tactics. Huh.
Huh? for the road
Was this really the best pic available pic.twitter.com/TPsNGw4YOV
— MMA mania (@mmamania) September 2, 2020
