Colby Covington (17-5), a prominent multi-time UFC title challenger, has been surprising his audience recently. Traditionally considered one of the promotion’s most loyal fighters, he has unexpectedly become vocal with criticism. Recently, he shed light on why fighters don’t have the leverage to secure better contract terms for themselves.
According to Covington: “The only way UFC will pay attention to you and offer something substantial is if you’re already a superstar who sells tickets and pay-per-views. If you’re just a solid fighter in the middle of the roster, you have no real bargaining power. They can simply find another guy. They have a million fighters under contract, and they know they’ll always find someone to take your place. This is a business, and they run it tough. Fighters can’t collectively demand more because everyone is fighting for themselves, and there will always be someone willing to accept their terms. The UFC controls the market completely, and they know it.”