I don’t need to justify anything to prove that Rampage should act in his own best interest. You’re trying to prove otherwise.

But here is the thing…. How do you know this? How do you know the UFC can afford a pay increase to Rampage or Silva or Henderson?

Because they are clearly making enough money to? Because they’re gloating about making so much money?

So already without anything thinking at all on your part, you have proposed an additional expense of to Zuffa of $35 Million a year.

And? They bring in far more than that. The alternative is more UFC 104s. Guess which I as a fan prefer?

You are getting tripped up on your own words here. You said:

“He might have made $5 million. How much of it has he seen? How much of it is already tied up in all his kids? How are the payments structured based on his potential earnings as an MMA fighter? None of that matters to you.”

You are trying to justify him needing more money because he has too many kids or he hasn’t seen all of the money because he is bad with money.

“Clearly the income is there for them to do so, and they have all the right in the world to protest, negotiate, or look elsewhere to take more money.”

But here is the thing…. How do you know this? How do you know the UFC can afford a pay increase to Rampage or Silva or Henderson? This just isn’t $500,000 to $2 Million per fight increase we are talking about.

It is a $10 and $25 Million increase in revenues per year for each level. Here is the proof:

You give Dan Henderson an extra $500,000 per fight (consider the signing bonus as part of that increase). At 3 fights a year, that is an increase of $1.5 Million. Now multiple that by every other contender who is at his same level. You are already talking over $10 Million.

Then look at the main event guys. Increase each of their stars by $1 Million. Let’s say on average they fight 2.5 times a year and they have 10 stars. That is $25 Million increase.

So already without anything thinking at all on your part, you have proposed an additional expense of to Zuffa of $35 Million a year.

You don’t think that would happen? Look at Rampage. He saw all the big money the long time stars got and he is pissed he didn’t get it.

So for you to say “clearly the income is there”…. Shows you don’t know what you are talking about.

I’m guessing UFC needs to pay fighters more than Tyson, Holyfield and Mayweather made in their primes? Because despite the money those guys made it wasn’t enough and they’re still broke.

Who is arguing that point?

BTW, LOL at everyone just assuming that Hendo has “failed” at negotiating. Why shouldn’t he go test the waters elsewhere? Because its inconvenient for moron fantasy booking? Let him ask around about money and if it turns out that the UFC’s offer is the biggest one present, he can go take it and it will likely take no time off his career.

Nor does it. You aren’t even arguing the basis of this.

You believe that UFC Fighters are entitled to make enough money in a short time frame to live comfortably the rest of their lives without working again. That is exactly what entitlement is.

Clearly the income is there for them to do so, and they have all the right in the world to protest, negotiate, or look elsewhere to take more money. The issue is that you’d much prefer they not have that luxury at all. You certainly voice enough displeasure about the entire process.

Nobody is holding a gun to anyones head in the free world; if you’re not happy with the amount you are paid, you’re free to negotiate or seek employment elsewhere. Thats what Rampage has done, thats what Hendo is trying (less successfully) to do.

It doesn’t matter if a fighter earns $5mil or $5k in their career; how they provide for themselves in later life is their problem, not their employers.

HDNet Fights president Guy Mezger nearly became Tiger Mask in 2002. He verbally agreed to it, but it never was followed up on.