Ragin' Al forced the UFC to give him a new contract

[MovinOn]

Iaquinta, 30, says he contacted the UFC several weeks ago to discuss his retirement. The catalyst for the call was because he was still subject to random drug testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) -- an inconvenience he no longer wanted.

It appeared to be the final straw of a strained relationship. Iaquinta has fought just once in the past two years, stating his pay simply isn't worth the risks of stepping into the cage.

"After my last fight [in April], I put a number in my head, and I wasn't going to fight for anything less," Iaquinta told ESPN.

"They almost got me [in December]. I accepted a fight against Paul Felder, but it wasn't the number I had. I kind of rushed into it. So I pulled out of that fight. I stuck to my guns.

"One day, I got on the phone with [UFC matchmaker] Sean Shelby and said, 'Listen, USADA is coming to my office to test me. This is unacceptable. I said I was going to pull myself from the USADA program. And they came back with the number I wanted."

"I signed a new four-fight deal," Iaquinta said. "They gave me a new contract on the second fight of my old deal -- I don't think they do that for many people. All these fighters kind of take what's given to them. Very few know their worth.

"I still think I'm worth a lot more, but this is a step in the right direction."

Iaquinta's UFC deal 3 times better than earlier



Let this set a precedent for fighters who are getting screwed! Sometimes ya gotta play hardball with Dana and Co.

 

[Gay For Longo]

Let this set a precedent for fighters who are getting screwed! Sometimes ya gotta play hardball with Dana and Co.

Iaquinta, 30, says he contacted the UFC several weeks ago to discuss his retirement. The catalyst for the call was because he was still subject to random drug testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) -- an inconvenience he no longer wanted.

It appeared to be the final straw of a strained relationship. Iaquinta has fought just once in the past two years, stating his pay simply isn't worth the risks of stepping into the cage.

"After my last fight [in April], I put a number in my head, and I wasn't going to fight for anything less," Iaquinta told ESPN.

"They almost got me [in December]. I accepted a fight against Paul Felder, but it wasn't the number I had. I kind of rushed into it. So I pulled out of that fight. I stuck to my guns.

"One day, I got on the phone with [UFC matchmaker] Sean Shelby and said, 'Listen, USADA is coming to my office to test me. This is unacceptable. I said I was going to pull myself from the USADA program. And they came back with the number I wanted."

"I signed a new four-fight deal," Iaquinta said. "They gave me a new contract on the second fight of my old deal -- I don't think they do that for many people. All these fighters kind of take what's given to them. Very few know their worth.

"I still think I'm worth a lot more, but this is a step in the right direction."

Iaquinta's UFC deal 3 times better than earlier

Good, he's proven himself to be a much smarter guy than people give him credit

 

[Jehannum]

His last fight was in April 2017 coming off a 2yr layoff and it was against a washed up Diego Sanchez ffs

I don't think the UFC should pay him like he's a top 10 guy, he was very lucky to get the nod against Masvidal

 

[nuraknu]

His last fight was in April 2017 coming off a 2yr layoff and it was against a washed up Diego Sanchez ffs

I don't think the UFC should pay him like he's a top 10 guy, he was very lucky to get the nod against Masvidal

I think this is more about the idea that he could pull himself out of the usada program - they probably don't want to test the legality of the whole thing, especially since they imposed it on people without it being part of their contracts.

 

[Rambo John J]

Ragin AL thought he beat masvidal...yelled at the crowd after he got a gift decision

Lost me as a fan that night....thought he was cool till that

Jorge toyed with him and I had 3-0

 

[Rambo John J]

Good, he's proven himself to be a much smarter guy than people give him credit

Says Gay for longo

U biased bro

Guy is wild for sure

Im all for fighters getting top dollar so he played this well

 

[Pitbull9]

Ok now the pressure is really on him.

 

[Jehannum]

The struggle was real

but now the struggle is over

 

[Bats]

His last fight was in April 2017 coming off a 2yr layoff and it was against a washed up Diego Sanchez ffs

I don't think the UFC should pay him like he's a top 10 guy, he was very lucky to get the nod against Masvidal

In general most fighters in combat sports aren't that well paid, but I think Al was right to place a value on himself and hold out until it was met. (And the flip side to that is it's also down to him to drum up enough interest in his fights to justify wanting more money the next time they negotiate.)

 

[Gay For Longo]

Says Gay for longo

U biased bro

Guy is wild for sure

Im all for fighters getting top dollar so he played this well

I was saying the same thing man, he played this perfect
Most people write him off as stupid because of the way he talks sometimes but this proves he's an intelligent man and hope other fighters take notice

 

[Gay For Longo]

Says Gay for longo

U biased bro

Guy is wild for sure

Im all for fighters getting top dollar so he played this well

Oh shit this went over my head
Didn't even realize he's a longo guy lol
Maybe a bit biased

 

[Jehannum]

In general most fighters in combat sports aren't that well paid, but I think Al was right to place a value on himself and hold out until it was met. (And the flip side to that is it's also down to him to drum up enough interest in his fights to justify wanting more money the next time they negotiate.)

He's a potential contender at 155, he should be steering himself towards a title shot not spending 2 years playing chicken with the UFC for a contract change.

 

[KWingJitsu]

Let this set a precedent for fighters who are getting screwed! Sometimes ya gotta play hardball with Dana and Co.

Iaquinta, 30, says he contacted the UFC several weeks ago to discuss his retirement. The catalyst for the call was because he was still subject to random drug testing by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) -- an inconvenience he no longer wanted.

It appeared to be the final straw of a strained relationship. Iaquinta has fought just once in the past two years, stating his pay simply isn't worth the risks of stepping into the cage.

"After my last fight [in April], I put a number in my head, and I wasn't going to fight for anything less," Iaquinta told ESPN.

"They almost got me [in December]. I accepted a fight against Paul Felder, but it wasn't the number I had. I kind of rushed into it. So I pulled out of that fight. I stuck to my guns.

"One day, I got on the phone with [UFC matchmaker] Sean Shelby and said, 'Listen, USADA is coming to my office to test me. This is unacceptable. I said I was going to pull myself from the USADA program. And they came back with the number I wanted."

"I signed a new four-fight deal," Iaquinta said. "They gave me a new contract on the second fight of my old deal -- I don't think they do that for many people. All these fighters kind of take what's given to them. Very few know their worth.

"I still think I'm worth a lot more, but this is a step in the right direction."

Iaquinta's UFC deal 3 times better than earlier

He's a crazy nutjob, but I completely support his negotiating tactics.

 

[Bats]

He's a potential contender at 155, he should be steering himself towards a title shot not spending 2 years playing chicken with the UFC for a contract change.

That might be what you want him to do as a fan, but he's the one fighting and if he's not happy with the money on offer then it's his prerogative to hold out. (Especially when he's got other options.) I can get people criticising someone like Amir Khan turning down millions to fight Kell Brook whilst saying he wants a big fight, but guys like Al Iaquinta aren't making millions per fight, nor can they make money from outside sponsors like in years gone by; other than a select few, UFC fighters aren't making mega money. It's down to them if they think the money is worth it.

The UFC brass eventually increased his money rather than letting him retire and holding the rights to promote him should he change his mind, so it doesn't look like they think he isn't worth what he's now getting.

 

[SCADA]

Let's keep in mind that we are only hearing Al's side in this. Just sayin.

 

[SCADA]

That might be what you want him to do as a fan, but he's the one fighting and if he's not happy with the money on offer then it's his prerogative to hold out. (Especially when he's got other options.) I can get people criticising someone like Amir Khan turning down millions to fight Kell Brook whilst saying he wants a big fight, but guys like Al Iaquinta aren't making millions per fight, nor can they make money from outside sponsors like in years gone by; other than a select few, UFC fighters aren't making mega money. It's down to them if they think the money is worth it.

The UFC brass eventually increased his money rather than letting him retire and holding the rights to promote him should he change his mind, so it doesn't look like they think he isn't worth what he's now getting.

Hey sexy....

 

[Bats]

Hey sexy....

Mi amigo!

 

[SCADA]

Mi amigo!

 

[Jehannum]

Let's keep in mind that we are only hearing Al's side in this. Just sayin.

and he's known for selling wolf tickets

 

[SCADA]

and he's known for selling wolf tickets

 

[Dick Niaz]

Hotel rooms beware.

 

[Shy Guy]

Good for Al. I love that dude. Super entertaining.

 

[Shy Guy]

Hotel rooms beware.

How many hotel rooms were trashed en route to this new deal? Smart money is +4&1/2

 

[Hwoarang]

Other fighters also know their worth, problem is, he had to leave the sport and start up a successful business first.
Most others fighters have to take the scraps UFC offer them to eat. They can't afford to hold off for years negotiating for better pay.

 

[Jesus X]

good for raging ALcoholic