Fighter pay has all the time been a sizzling subject in MMA, significantly within the UFC. Lots of the group’s huge names have some gripes about it, whereas some are utterly wonderful with what they’re being compensated for.
A number of of them are proper within the center, like ladies’s bantamweight contender Julia Avila, for instance. In a sequence of tweets she posted earlier than UFC 278, the 34-year-old had this to say.
Usually instances you must select between having a profession, being in a relationship, being a mom, OR comply with your goals to being in the most effective battle circuit ever. Even then, typically you simply don’t really feel appreciated (as a lady) since you don’t present pores and skin or discuss trash
— Julia Avila (@RagingPandaMMA) August 18, 2022
I like being within the UFC. I like combating for the followers and placing on a present, nevertheless it’s a canine and pony present. I’m simply as replaceable as anybody else on the roster and followers might be none the wiser. That’s the toughest capsule to swallow.
— Julia Avila (@RagingPandaMMA) August 18, 2022
Avila’s tweets might come off as one other fighter pay criticism. However in a separate dialog with MMA Preventing, she clarified that it wasn’t.
“I really feel like lots of people took it out of context. I don’t have any points in any respect with fighter pay,” she mentioned. “I receives a commission nice and I believe it’s very reasonable what they do to earn your hold. When you win, you get a win bonus.
“It’s like several trade: When you carry out properly, you get a bonus and also you proceed to progress. When you’re static, otherwise you’re simply getting by, otherwise you’re shedding, there’s no incentive to get higher. If everybody’s the identical, there’s no incentive to get higher.”
No system is, in spite of everything, good. And for Avila, there may be undoubtedly some room for enchancment by way of how the UFC runs issues.
“I like the UFC, however I do know they will do extra,” she defined. “If we had insurance coverage year-round, that will be nice.
“However I believe having an incentive program the place there can be on-line enterprise studying, the place you may study enterprise administration, or bodily schooling or one thing, after which afterwards, you’re dedicated to working for that firm for x quantity of years to repay studying.
“For instance, the UFC gyms: If there was a enterprise administration program that the corporate gives, you’d have to keep up a sure GPA, after which after we’re finished combating, we’d be dedicated to working for one to 2 years at a UFC Gymnasium, that’s wonderful.”
Avila, who is because of have a child in October, feels now’s the time to voice out her sentiments.
“It’s been terrifying as a result of there have been so many individuals which were outspoken about it which have simply been destructive about it, or simply wish to receives a commission extra,” she defined. “There’s a variety of issues that get misplaced in translation so anytime I say something it’s, ‘She’s complaining about fighter pay, perhaps you shouldn’t have been combating,’ however they’re lacking the purpose.
“I haven’t spoken out prior to now as a result of I had loads to lose; at this level, what do I’ve to lose? I’m already sidelined, I can’t battle till late winter, early spring if the whole lot goes properly, I’ve three fights left on my contract and that’s all topic to what they see in me. I’d as properly converse up now.”
Avila (9-2, 3-1 within the UFC) final noticed motion in June 2021 in opposition to Julija Stoliarenko. She gained through third-round submission.
