How do fighters feel about the idea of a Fighters Union? Many are unsure about what it would entail and others are afraid to speak out, Borris said at the PFA press conference. Some are downright skeptical of the whole process.
"A lot of these guys, it looks like they're looking for something in their best interest that's not really gonna help me," said Tim Means, who fights Sabah Homasi at UFC 202. "We all think differently."
Means said he has received letters in the mail from different attorneys about a union.Cortney Casey, who faces Randa Markos on Saturday, said she has also received mailers.
"They stay on my counter," Casey said. "Haven't even opened them. ... I'm happy with my job right now. If it happens, it happens. We can't change what other fighters are doing. As long as my family is taken care of and I'm taken care of, I'm happy."
Elizabeth Phillips just wishes she could fight more. She said she was offered a bout early this year and turned it down due to injury and had not gotten another one offered to her until the one with Raquel Pennington for this weekend's card.
"We don't have any control over that, because we're independent contractors," Phillips said. "Technically, they don't have to give us a certain amount of fights every time. Being able to pay my bills and survive shouldn't be an issue. I think that's my biggest issue. I'm willing to fight. I'm wiling to be a face for the company. We just need to make sure we're being taken care of."
"I don't have any complaints with the UFC," Tim Means said. "They've done nothing but treat me right. If I got offered a contract and I didn't like it, I'd renegotiate it. They'd send me some different numbers. I've been cut, brought back and [matchmaker] Joe Silva always stepped up and did what he said he was gonna do."
There is also an understandable fear fighters have of criticizing and coming out against in any way against people that sign their checks. It's a very natural thing to feel.
"I think that they're scared to say something, because they don't want to get in trouble," said Phillips, who was cut in 2014 after criticizing the UFC for a disputed judges decision. "And I'm definitely one of those people. ... You definitely gotta watch what you say. Certain fighters can get away with certain things and some fighters can't. I think that's why fighters are scared to say something. I don't think there's anything wrong unless we're talking bad about the company."
UFC 202 fighters skeptical about possible union
