Roger Huerta Criticizes the UFC’s Treatment of Fighters

Lately we have been constantly hearing about UFC fighter salaries and who is and isn’t getting paid what they deserve. Especially with the recent pokes coming from such well known fighters as Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, and Frank Shamrock.

Also in the mix is Dana White’s supposed unwillingness to come to terms with and give Fedor what he deserves to bring him into the org.

But other than the few mentioned who have gone astray (Couture is still under contract but refuses to fight for the UFC) we have been hard pressed to find anyone within the company who is willing to complain or say they felt they weren’t being treated fairly.

Neal Talfinger from FIGHT! Magazine has finally gotten a UFC fighter to go on the record about his unhappiness with the UFC. And the first fighter outside of Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture to speak out is a fighter that has been branded by some pundits as the “golden boy” of the UFC, Roger Huerta.

The following is an excerpt from the current issue of FIGHT!, which is available on newsstands now:

Huerta is one of a growing number of Zuffa-contracted fighter who feel that there is a disconnection between the company’s success and the way fighters are compensated. Huerta’s disillusionment with the UFC began when he did press tours for his employer in Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and London and received a $50 per diem for his troubles. It sounds like a a good deal until you factor in time away from training, friends, and family, days often stretch twelve hours or more, and an exchange rate of one UK pound for two American dollars. “Why do you think I don’t do PR for the UFC any more?” he asks.

He’s also unhappy with the terms of his current contract, but to Huerta, the press tours underscore a larger point: by and the large, Zuffa does not treat its contracted fighters with sufficient loyalty or respect. He argues that many UFC fighters barely make enough to cover their training expenses. He brings up teammate Keith Jardine repeatedly, incensed that a main event fighter is working for ten and ten- $10k to show and 10k to win – while his opponent regularly makes ten times as much.

Huerta’s expression hardens and becomes more animated as talk turns to endorsements. The common counter-argument for complaints about fighter pay is that fighters often make more from endorsements and sponsorships than they do for competing. But Huerta has soured on the system after receiving lowball offers from companies who expect fighters to jump at the chance to endorse products. He rails against a Fortune 500 company for offering a deal to build him as a spokesman that included unpaid work. “Are you serious?” Huerta ask. “I know Dale Earnhardt Jr isn’t doing appearances for free.”

“The truth is, I don’t really care if I fight in the UFC or somewhere else,” Huerta says. The fighter says he understands that Zuffa has to keep an eye on the bottom line, but he wants to work, “For a company that is as loyal to me as I am to them.”

Huerta who has two fights remaining on his UFC contract took a major risk by speaking out because he could be subject to reprisal. When you fight for the UFC it’s not always about how good you are doing inside octagon but also how well you are getting along with the front office.

MMAPayout.com also raised a valid point regarding Huerta’s contract:

"if he beats Kenny Florian he could be held out of competition and be subject to the Zuffa Freeze-out, as used on Andre Arlovski and Brandon Vera during contract negotiations. Huerta has a back-up plan in case this tactic is used, as he can enroll in college and finish up his business management degree this fall at Augsburg College."

While Huerta’s recent comments are a risky move that could end up putting him on the shelf for a while, it could also be a plus overall by encouraging other ‘A’ status UFC fighters to speak their mind in the future in regards to their worth. As it stands, it seems that either most of the other fighters are happy with their salaries and don’t feel they deserve more or they are a bit intimidated by the all powerful ZUFFA.