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My understanding of boxing (could be wrong) is that the fighter is contracted to the manager, and the manager then arranges the fights with the different organisations etc. So in that situation Anderson Silva would have a contract with Ed Soares rather than the UFC, and Soares would negotiate with the UFC or Strikeforce etc. That would of course give the fighter or manager more power than the organisation.
I think one of the big benefits of having 1 major organisation like the UFC is that they have the power. Fighters cant duck other fighters because the UFC holds their contract so they fight who they have to, or they dont fight. As far as I remember from the Couture/UFC/Fedor battle, a standard UFC contract guarantees a fighter a set number of fights within a set timeframe. If the UFC dont offer you a fight within that time then they are in breach. But if they offer and you refuse then thats your tough luck. They have not broken their agreement to offer fights.
Of course the downside of the 1 big organisation situation is that the UFC have maybe too much power. But aside from the occasional disgruntled fighter, the majority tend to praise the UFC, and not just to keep in their good graces. There was an interesting article a while back (I may have posted it a while ago) where Sean McCorkle posted on the Underground (the MMA site, not the tube) about his recent UFC contract. He lost 2 of 3 fights and was cut, but during his contract he was paid approximately 40% more than he was entitled to. He won a fight bonus, and in 2 other fights he received extra cheques simply for putting on a good fight.
Of course there are still some refusals. Shogun Rua allegedly (he denies it) turned down a fight with Glover Teixeira. Lyoto Machida turned down a fight with Rashad Evans unless he got a pay rise to Anderson Silva money. Melvin Guillard says that 3 other guys turned down the Cerrone fight before he stepped up. But I think when it gets to the title, its a different story. If there is a clear number 1 contender then you cant just refuse. Thats why the UFC hate the I dont fight teammates argument. Dana once said that Koscheck wouldnt get another WW title shot unless he fought Fitch first. Kos said hed move to MW to solve the problem!
So to answer the original question, I think the UFC (Silva/White) control the decision 90% of the time.
And interestingly on that note, Daniel Cormier says he wants a HW title shot if (when) he beats Frank Mir. But if teammate Cain Velasquez is champion by that time he says he will cut to LHW and go after Jon Jones! |
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2-12-2019 21:36:05
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