UFC Exec: We own fighters bodies

[kneeblock]

Sam Alvey's creative logo placement didn't please the UFC.

The quirky middleweight fighter had his sponsor, Perfect Tan, adorned on his chest in what seemed like spray tan. Alvey did it during weigh-ins Friday and there it was again Saturday during his bout with Daniel Kelly at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Miocic in Adelaide, Australia.

Alvey gave a shoutout to UFC uniform partner Reebok after knocking Kelly out in the first round. But that didn't seem to ease the annoyance from his employer. Tom Wright, a UFC international executive, said in the post-fight press conference that what Alvey did violated UFC rules.

"Fighters definitely can't do that," Wright said. "It's against our policy. You can put your sponsors on your shorts. You can put your sponsors on your shorts, you can put your sponsors on your banner, but you can't put your sponsors on your body."

UFC exec on Sam Alvey's spray-tan sponsor logo: 'Fighters definitely can't do that' - MMA Fighting

 

[Punch]

Sam Alvey's creative logo placement didn't please the UFC.

The quirky middleweight fighter had his sponsor, Perfect Tan, adorned on his chest in what seemed like spray tan. Alvey did it during weigh-ins Friday and there it was again Saturday during his bout with Daniel Kelly at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Miocic in Adelaide, Australia.

Alvey gave a shoutout to UFC uniform partner Reebok after knocking Kelly out in the first round. But that didn't seem to ease the annoyance from his employer. Tom Wright, a UFC international executive, said in the post-fight press conference that what Alvey did violated UFC rules.

"Fighters definitely can't do that," Wright said. "It's against our policy. You can put your sponsors on your shorts. You can put your sponsors on your shorts, you can put your sponsors on your banner, but you can't put your sponsors on your body."

UFC exec on Sam Alvey's spray-tan sponsor logo: 'Fighters definitely can't do that' - MMA Fighting

 

[Splinty]

lol!
Very clever

 

[Splinty]

but you can't put your sponsors on your body."

What if its a tattoo?

 

[Zeph]

Do you remember when Ricco had the hena tattoo on his back? This wasn't as bad as that, actually quite clever, but doesn't look very professional, so I can see why they won't allow it. However, if they expect professional behaviour, perhaps they should compensate fighters like professionals - rather than part timers.

 

[Zeph]

What if its a tattoo?

Hena tattoos are not allowed. But they can't do shit if someone pays you for a real tat, I guess.

UFC Lightweight champ 2016

 

[La Paix]

Such a sad state.

 

[Psychotropic Wanderlust]

sometimes I remember when I used to respect the UFC.

 

[Wild]

Two words: Fighters Association

When will the fighters finally say enough is enough.

 

[Zeph]

Thomas Almedia, happy to announce his new Monster sponsorship.

 

[ThatOneDude]

What happens when they drop him and/or the Ufc? I hope they are paying him very well

 

[seekntruth]

HAHA, Love it. When I saw it on his chest, I was wondering how he convinced the UFC to allow that...now hearing they aren't happy about it, it makes me happy...









Burt Watson would have NEVER let him out of the locker room with that...but since he isn't there anymore. Karma bitches!!

 

[Left Hook Larry]

I thought it said Perfection. Good to see Alvey getting a few more bucks in his pocket.

 

[Wild]

What's next? Tell them how to cut their hair, so they represent the UFC, Reebok, Bud Light, and FOX in a proper manner? Hand out flash cards at press conferences, with what to say - what not to say? If you're a fighter, you have to ask yourself, where does this end.

 

[MoomBah]

I remember Rampage put sponsors on his body in one of his Pride fights....except i think he did with a sharpie for some random wheel company lol.

 

[Leigh]

I'm not disagreeing with the sentiment here but could a football player wear sponsors logos when they compete? How about tennis players at Wimbledon?

Can athletes do it at the Olympics? Like a judo player wearing a McDonalds logo on their gi. Could Mayweather wear Burger King on his shorts?

I genuinely don't know.

 

[Zeph]

I'm not disagreeing with the sentiment here but could a football player wear sponsors logos when they compete? How about tennis players at Wimbledon?

Can athletes do it at the Olympics? Like a judo player wearing a McDonalds logo on their gi. Could Mayweather wear Burger King on his shorts?

I genuinely don't know.

Tennis players can choose their own sponsor/endorsed gear(it is one allowed sponsor and has to be mainly white clothing iirc). Football players are extremely well compensated and are employees, but I know they have boot deals(soccer players, don't know about American Handegg).

Olympic athletes have to be classed as amatuers, I think, so that would play into it. Although, I'd imagine the top ones are sponsored and can wear their choice of sponsored gear(like Adidas running shoes).

I get your point though, however, I just think that the UFC want their cake and to eat it as well. They want to dictate everything to fighters, but give them none of the benefits an employee should get, while also penny pinching them at every opportunity. Fighters need to get organized or this will carry on and only get worse, and they will only have themselves to blame at that point.

 

[ThatOneDude]

Olympic Runner Fights to Change Sponsorship Rules | WIRED

 

[Silverball]

One step forward, two steps back.

 

[ChaosOverkill]

Waaaah.

Alvey rules. Robin Hood of the roster.



I bet they have "Image and class" conversations over there at Zuffa on this, then they blast Face The Pain and much on some Corn Nuts and then use dude wipes on the back end.

 

[Lamont Cranston]

What if its a tattoo?

Ricco Rodriguez sported a henna tattoo for one of his UFC fights and subsequently claims that the tattoo and the bets he placed almost sunk the UFC and are the reason that the UFC hates him.

 

[Zeph]

Ricco Rodriguez sported a henna tattoo for one of his UFC fights and subsequently claims that the tattoo and the bets he placed almost sunk the UFC and are the reason that the UFC hates him.

I've never heard the bets part of that story. Can you elaborate at all Dougie?

 

[Γαλάνης]

Ricco got a Golden Palace henna tattoo on his back when he fought against Couture for the title

Since Lorenzo and co owned Station Casinos, they were not pleased. On top of that, Ricco bet on himself to win the fight. He did win, and made something in the high 6 figures from the bet. It all went into an offshore account. He won the fight, got in huge trouble (he mentioned that before it happened, Lorenzo walked him down an empty hallway like a mobster and told him how pissed he was etc) and the e UFC pretty much hated him from there on out. He lost the title to Tim, and then pretty much beat Nog in PRIDE, but got screwed on the decision.

His career was pretty much a train wreck. Lots of wasted potential.

 

[Γαλάνης]

Google brought me to this

Exclusive: Ricco Rodriguez Explains Why the UFC Won't Have Him Back - Cagepotato

Has an excerpt from Ricco's extended Sherdog radio interview from a few years ago explaining the story in depth. Good interview I recommend listening to. His career was crazy

 

[Γαλάνης]

Apparently the excerpt is from a different radio show. But, the sherdog one I mentioned touches on it too and is a good listen.