Watch a live stream of the entire Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8 card featuring 13 UFC veterans.
[autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag]’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA is back with a card featuring more than a dozen former UFC fighters.
In the main event, [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon Davis[/autotag] rematch, without gloves this time, as they fight for the promotion’s inaugural bantamweight championship. Davis defeated Costa by submission at UFC 236 in April 2019. Will history repeat?
The co-main event features [autotag]Maurice Greene[/autotag] as he takes on [autotag]Chase Sherman[/autotag] in a battle of former UFC heavyweights. Also on the card, New Englanders [autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] and [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag] duke it out, and fan-favorite [autotag]Jason Knight[/autotag] fights [autotag]Joshua Weems[/autotag].
The event takes place Friday at Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss. The entire event will be streamed live and free on YouTube with prelims beginning at 8 p.m. ET followed by a main card at 9 p.m. ET.
You can watch the event in the video above.
Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8 full results
Randy Costa vs. Brandon Davis ends in no contest (inadvertent illegal knee) – Round 1, 2:47
Maurice Greene def. Chase Sherman via submission (standing guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:26
Guto Inocente def. Marcus Brigagao via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:20
Joshua Weems def. Jason Knight via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Charles Rosa def. Peter Barrett via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 3, 3:21
Frank Tate def. Alex Nicholson via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:56
A total of seven fighters could be facing up to six-month shutdowns after their UFC 256 fights.
A total of seven fighters could be facing up to six-month shutdowns after their UFC 256 fights.
UFC flyweight champion [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (20-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) and [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] (18-5-2 MMA, 6-2-2 UFC) who battled to a majority draw in the night’s headliner, could both have to wait up to six months before running things back.
After delivering a “Fight of the Year” contender, Figueiredo will need clearance by a doctor for a possible broken right little toe and an MRI for his right bicep. Moreno needs an MRI of his left shoulder and an X-ray of his left forearm.
[autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC), who suffered a unanimous decision loss to Charles Oliveira in the night’s co-main event, needs an MRI to clear his right elbow or he could be out for up to six months.
[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who earned a hard-fought decision win over Virna Jandiroba, needs a facial CT to rule out a nasal fracture and an X-ray to clear her left hand, otherwise she’ll be suspended for 180 days.
[autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag] (27-11 MMA, 12-7 UFC), who returned after a yearlong layoff to knock out Daniel Pineda, may be facing six months on the shelf unless he gets his right hand cleared through an X-ray.
Debutante [autotag]Sam Hughes[/autotag] (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who was diagnosed with a hyphema, or pooling of blood inside the eye in her TKO loss to Tecia Torres, could also be looking at a six-month suspension unless she gets the eye cleared by an ophthalmologist. Hughes’ corner stopped the fight at the end of Round 1 after she claimed she couldn’t see out of her left eye.
[autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] (11-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC), who was submitted after getting caught in a kneebar by Chase Hooper, must have an MRI of his right knee, or he, too, will be looking at six months on the sidelines unless cleared.
MMA Junkie obtained the full list of medical suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com for UFC 256, which took place this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The full list of UFC 256 medical suspensions includes:
Deiveson Figueiredo: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact. In addition, needs clearance of possible broken right little toe with an X-ray and MRI of right bicep, otherwise suspended 180 days.
Brandon Moreno: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact. In addition, needs clearance of left shoulder with an MRI and X-ray of left forearm, otherwise suspended 180 days.
Tony Ferguson: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact. In addition, needs clearance of left elbow with an MRI, otherwise suspended 180 days.
[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to cut on left eyebrow.
Mackenzie Dern: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact. In addition, needs clearance of possible nasal fracture with a facial CT and X-ray of left hand, otherwise suspended 180 days.
[autotag]Virna Jandiroba[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
[autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
[autotag]Junior dos Santos[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
Cub Swanson: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact. In addition, needs clearance of right hand with X-ray, otherwise suspended 180 days.
[autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
[autotag]Renato Moicano[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
[autotag]Billy Quarantillo[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 21 days no contact due to left eye laceration.
Sam Hughes: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact. In addition, needs clearance of left eye by ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 180 days.
Peter Barrett: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact. In addition, nneeds clearance of right knee with MRI, otherwise suspended 180 days.
The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 256, which saw Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno fight to a draw in the main event.
The UFC’s 2020 pay-per-view schedule came to a close Saturday. UFC 256, which took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, marked the 11th and final numbered card of the year.
[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (20-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) emerged as the last champion to defend this calendar year when he fought [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] (18-5-2 MMA, 6-2-2 UFC) to a majority draw in the main event, keeping his belt in the process.
For more on the numbers to come out of the event, check below for 40 post-event facts from UFC 256.
Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 256 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $220,500.
LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 256 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $220,500.
The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.
UFC 256 took place at UFC Apex. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
The full UFC 256 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
* * * *
[autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]: $40,000
vs. [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag]: $30,000
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
Four fighters are facing lengthy suspensions as a result of their UFC on ESPN+ 32 injuries.
Four fighters are facing potential six-month suspensions for injuries sustained in their respective UFC on ESPN+ 32 bouts.
[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (neck and arm), [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag] (facial fractures), [autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] (left ribs), and [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] (right hand, right wrist, and left eye) will not be able to fight until Feb. 5, 2021, unless they are cleared by a doctor beforehand.
On Wednesday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.
Headlining victor [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] did not receive a suspension, while his opponent, [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag], received a 45-day suspension for lacerations sustained in the fight.
Former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] and his opponent, [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag], both received 30-day suspensions after their co-main event bout.
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Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 32 medical suspensions:
Derrick Lewis: No suspension.
Aleksei Oleinik: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to left eye and lip lacerations.
Chris Weidman: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to a “hard fight.”
Omari Akhmedov: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to laceration under left eye.
[autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left scalp laceration.
[autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag]: No suspension.
Yana Kunitskaya: Suspended 180 days or until MRI of neck and right arm are cleared by orthopedic doctor; Also suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
[autotag]Julija Stoliarenko[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
Scott Holtzman: Suspended 180 days or until left inferior orbital floor fracture cleared by maxillofacial surgeon; Also suspended for 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
[autotag]Laureno Staropoli[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days due to left eye laceration.
[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to left eye lacerations.
[autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to left eye laceration.
[autotag]Alexander Munoz[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days, or until right eye is cleared by doctor.
[autotag]Andrew Sanchez[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
[autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag]: No suspension.
Peter Barrett: Suspended 180 days or until x-ray of left ribs is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; Also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
Irwin Rivera: Suspended 180 days or until x-ray of right hand and wrist is cleared by doctor and possible left eye corneal abrasion is cleared by an ophthalmologist.
[autotag]Ali Alqaisi[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to sutures on nasal bridge.
All the notable stats to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 32, which took place in Las Vegas, and saw Derrick Lewis knock out Aleksei Oleinik.
The UFC’s loaded August schedule continued on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 32, which went down at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streamed on ESPN+.
The UFC’s busiest heavyweight picked up another notable win in the headliner when [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 15-5 UFC) overcame the grappling prowess of [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag] (59-14-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC) to net a second-round TKO and extend his current winning streak to three fights.
“The Black Beast” made UFC history with his finish, and for more on the numbers, check below for 35 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 32.
[autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag], [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag], [autotag]Andrew Sanchez[/autotag] and [autotag]Gavin Tucker[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 32 fight-night bonuses.
UFC on ESPN+ 32 drew an announced attendance of zero for a live gate of $0.
Betting favorites went 10-2 on the card.
Betting favorites improved to 15-7 in UFC headliners this year.
Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:10:09.
Main card
Derrick Lewis
Lewis’ 15 victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Junior Dos Santos for third most in divisional history behind Andrei Arlovski (18) and Frank Mir (16).
Lewis’ 11 stoppage victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Arlovski, Gabriel Gonzaga and Stefan Struve for second most in divisional history behind Mir (13),
Lewis’ 11 knockout victories in UFC competition are tied for second most in company history behind Vitor Belfort (12).
Lewis’ 11 knockout victories in UFC heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Lewis’ 11 knockout victories in UFC competition since 2014 are tied with Thiago Santos for most among active fighters in the organization.
Oleinik has suffered all four of his UFC stoppage losses by knockout.
[autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) was successful in his return to the middleweight division.
Weidman earned his first UFC victory where he failed to outland his opponent in strikes.
[autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] (20-5-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) fell to 3-1-1 since he returned to the UFC middleweight division in December 2017. He’s 4-1-1 in the weight class overall under the UFC banner.
Akhmedov suffered the first decision loss of his career.
Stewart (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) improved to 5-3 since he dropped to the UFC middleweight division in November 2017.
[autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) has suffered five of his six career losses by stoppage.
Yana Kunitskaya
[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) improved to 3-1 since she returned to the UFC women’s bantamweight division in October 2018.
Kunitskaya outlanded her opponent 209-to-30 in total strikes. The +179 margin is largest in UFC women’s bantamweight history.
Kunitskaya has earned all three of her UFC victories by decision.
[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (19-4-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) earned the eighth knockout in UFC history stemming from a spinning backfist.
Dariush’s four-fight stoppage streak in UFC competition is tied with Justin Gaethje and Francis Ngannou for second longest among active fighters on the roster behind Charles Oliveira (seven).
[autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career with his knockout defeat.
Preliminary card
Tim Means
[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag] (30-12-1 MMA, 12-9 UFC) improved to 10-7 (with one no contest) since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in May 2014.
[autotag]Laureano Staropoli[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has suffered both of his UFC losses by decision.
[autotag]Alexander Munoz[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) had his six-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.
[autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career with his knockout defeat.
[autotag]Justin Jaynes[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) suffered the first stoppage loss of his career with his submission defeat.
[autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned all three of his UFC victories by decision.
[autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his career.
UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $162,000.
LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $162,000.
The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.
UFC on ESPN+ 32 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed ESPN+.
The full UFC on ESPN+ 32 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
Peter Barrett talks Steve Garcia’s withdrawal, making his UFC debut vs. Youssef Zalal, and more.
[autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] has waited a while, but his UFC debut is finally days away.
One of the only fighters yet to debut from Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 3 in 2019, Barrett (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will make his first promotional walk to the cage Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 32.
While Barrett prefers his pairing with [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag], he has a theory as to why his original matchup didn’t materialize. Barrett was initially scheduled to fight Steve Garcia, who pulled out two weeks ago.
Garcia’s withdrawal was due to undisclosed reasons. Barrett told MMA Junkie he thinks Garcia, who’s already missed weight twice before, potentially didn’t want to risk missing the mark again and getting his walking papers from the UFC.
“It’s business as usual,” Barrett said. “I did think it was a little convenient that Garcia pulled out two weeks before the fight having missed weight two of his last three fights, and his manager just so happened to have this kid (Zalal) ready and willing and able to make weight on two weeks’ notice. So without getting into too much detail there, maybe it was a chess move behind the scenes. Who knows. But I don’t think Garcia was going to be able to show up and make weight.
“So maybe he pulled some injury to get out of it. You see the UFC cut guys even if they’re winning and missing weight, so I don’t think he wanted to show up after having missed weight at (DWCS), missing weight at LFA, bumping up to 155 to fight ‘Violent Bob Ross’ (Luis Pena), and then come back down to 145 and miss weight again.”
Ultimately, Barrett thinks he landed the bigger name in Zalal (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who’s won his first two UFC fights and past three in a row overall. Barrett is thrilled to compete in what he thinks could be an all-out war.
“However it worked out, whoever it may be, everything happens for a reason,” Barrett said. “This is the opponent. It’s a better win on paper. Zalal is 2-0 in the UFC. Garcia was 0-1. So as far as I’m concerned, it’s a step up in competition. It’s a better win on my record and it’s a better head to have in my bag at the end of the day.”
Barrett has an array of finishes on his record and the Contender Series graduate expects to add another one on Saturday.
“I’m taking his head off,” Barrett said. “I said it before with Sang Hoon Yoo: I’m ready to put this kid’s head in Dana White’s lap. I’m here to make an impression. The fans are definitely in for – they’re definitely getting a firefight that night. They’re getting a good show. They’re getting their money’s worth.
“It’s going to be an ugly, bloody, disgusting, savage display of some highly calculated violence.”
UFC on ESPN+ 32 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
A featherweight bout is on tap for the UFC’s August 8 event in Las Vegas.
[autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] has a date and location for his UFC debut.
A signee from Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 3, Barrett (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will make his first promotional appearance against [autotag]Steve Garcia[/autotag] on Aug. 8 in Las Vegas.
On Friday, sources with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement
Barrett, 33, is one of the only remaining fighters from DWCS, Season 3 who has yet to make his promotional debut. The Massachusetts native was signed on the UFC series after a spirited unanimous decision win over Sang Hoon Yoo. He was then booked to fight Danny Henry on April 25. However, the UFC canceled the card due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Garcia (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) came up short in his promotional debut at UFC on ESPN+ 27 in February. On short notice, Garcia stepped in against Luis Pena but lost via unanimous decision. Prior to his UFC signing, Garcia had won four straight fights including a TKO victory on DWCS, Season 3.
If it wants to be mentioned among the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB, UFC lightweight Peter Barrett says the promotion should have the same standards for their athletes.
[autotag]Peter Barrett[/autotag] doesn’t think it’s time to for fighters to fight.
One of the only signees off Dana White’s Contender Series Season 3 yet to debut in the UFC, Barrett (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was originally scheduled to make his inaugural promotional walk at UFC on ESPN+ 31 in April 25. However, coronavirus restrictions muddied the waters, leaving Barrett without his opponent Danny Henry. The event was ultimately postponed.
Despite UFC president Dana White promising fighters on postponed cards get first dibs to compete first, Barrett isn’t interested – at least until the world’s current state gets more normal.
“Training for a fight under these conditions isn’t right,” Barrett told MMA Junkie on Saturday. “I’m in a unique situation where I live with a first responder. Any adult can make the decision to come into my house to train with me. But at what point is that a cross-benefit analysis where someone can go home and get their mom sick? We wouldn’t know if it came out of my house or not. That’d just be something terrible to comprehend or grasp your head around. There’s a chance where me being selfish about wanting to train got one of my friend’s grandparents sick. That’d be just horrible.”
Financially, mentally, and emotionally, Barrett is conflicted, he said. While he’s itching to make his long-awaited UFC debut, the 33-year-old lightweight isn’t in a position to do so. An open book on mental health and wellness, Barrett expressed the stress that the past few weeks have caused.
“I take my hat off to guys like Calvin (Kattar),” Barrett said. “Every fight in the UFC should be the toughest fight of your life. He’s cracked into the top 10. He’s fighting Jeremy Stephens. He was slated for UFC 249. Now, he’s on May 9. That takes some (expletive) scrotal fortitude to get through stuff like that. You need a very strong will. You need to be very disciplined. I’m not saying I don’t have those things, but it took a lot out of me to accept the situation I was in and make the best out of it. It’s crazy.”
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Unlike the fighters who were set to compete on the canceled UFC on ESPN+ 29 card, athletes booked for UFC on ESPN 8, UFC on ESPN+ 30 and UFC on ESPN+ 31 have not been told they’ll receive any compensation for their delayed bouts. Barrett is hopeful UFC president White discusses this issue during his coronavirus athlete information meetings Monday.
“What would really be awesome is if they talked about some compensation about the 40 guys who were getting ready to fight up until the week before UFC 249 got canceled,” Barrett said. “We all had contracts and dates signed. We put the work in. We were sacrificing relationships. We were telling the government and local municipalities to screw off. We were still training. We were still getting outside, getting roadwork. A lot of guys are probably still training in small groups behind closed doors.
“Obviously, me being a debuting UFC guy, my voice doesn’t carry much weight. I think compensation for those two cards needs to be a conversation. (Don’t) just push the cards up to a later date. We signed contracts for the 19th. We signed contracts for UFC 249 and UFC on ESPN+ 31. Those two cards we were training for until last week. We were (cutting) weight until last week.”
Seeing other fighters try to prove they’ll fight “anybody, anywhere, anytime” makes no sense to Barrett. The Massachusetts native would like to see more fighters speak up and be honest about their situations.
“Khabib (Nurmagomedov) is like the only big name who really went on the public line to advocate for it after being (expletive) around for three weeks about not knowing who he’s going to fight,” Barrett said. “If more guys at the top came out with that sentiment, I think lower guys would feel better about feeling that way. I think everybody is afraid to publicly voice your opinions about it.”
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The goal of the UFC, Barrett thinks, is to be on the same pedestal as other major leagues sports organizations. If it wants to be mentioned among the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB, Barrett said the UFC should set the same standards for their athletes. No other league would expect their athletes to go through what UFC fighters are.
“The UFC is a sport,” Barrett said. “It’s not a bloodsport any more, right? You want to treat us like athletes, you treat us like athletes. I put this on my Twitter. Fighters fight? Yeah, if you want to go slam a couple pints at the bar and go get in a bar fight for 30 seconds, by all means fighters fight. But we’re high-level athletes. We should be treated the way you treat guys in the NFL, the way the guys in the NHL, the ways the guys in the MLB, the way every other pro athlete is treated.
“If they’re not training with their team for six to eight weeks, you’re not going to throw the Patriots starting 11 on the frontline and say, ‘Go play a game. You guys know the sport of football.’ No one is going to allow something like that to happen. To see it happening in MMA is just kind of ridiculous, especially where we’re trying to get established as a major league sport. Treat us like major league athletes. Expect us to perform when the situations are right. Yeah, everybody stay in shape. Nobody get fat. Don’t sit around in the basement in the corner eating Twinkies and Ho Hos, but to expect guys to be fight ready in this condition? It’s just ridiculous.”
To hear the full interview with Barrett, check out the video below.
