Dana White On Gilbert Melendez Situation: We’ll See What Happens, Viacom Will Sue You Until You Bleed
The MMA world was dealt a shocking blow when news broke last Friday night that former Strikeforce lightweight champ and UFC title challenger Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator after an unfruitful contract dispute with the UFC.
Many were quick to blast UFC President Dana White for what had transpired. White had publicly expressed his disdain at dealing with Melendez’ management, and apparently it was enough for “El Nino” to jump ship.
With the UFC under heavy fire recently for their treatment and pay of fighters, White spoke up yesterday at his UFC 170 pre-fight media scrum to discuss how Melendez leaving isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the sport:
“Here’s the funny thing about that. It’s one or the other. We’re a monopoly, guys can’t make more money. Guys can’t do this. The guy is out there, it’s a free trade, he’s out there testing the waters to see what he’s worth. And now it’s like some big fucking issue. ‘He’s the number one and you’re not going to sign him?’ He’s out there testing the waters; this is how this shit works. Is it a bad thing? I thought this was what everybody wanted. ‘There’s no money. UFC has all the money and these guys can’t do this.’ This guy is out there testing the waters and now this is one big fucking negative issue? I don’t get it.” – transcribed via MMA Mania
Like him or not, White raises a valid point in stating that many have rushed to call the UFC a monopoly that gives fighters little option but to acquiesce to their demands, but then cried foul when Melendez was supposedly mistreated to the point of him leaving.
If the UFC is ever going to be regarded as anything other than a monopoly, then certain top-level fighters are just going to have to be able to leave, like White says.
Still, the president maintains that he has no problem whatsoever with Melendez, just with those he was trying to negotiate with. The UFC has the right to match Melendez’ Bellator offer, it doesn’t seem like that will be the route they’ll take.
White warned Melendez that he might become entrenched in a contract he can’t get out of, similar to current Bellator lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez:
“I like Gilbert, we’ll see what happens. I made that clear several weeks ago, I’m not involved. Gilbert is out there testing the market, good for him. I don’t have any hard feelings for Gilbert Melendez. I’m just not a big fan of the guys who I was dealing with, but you know, this happens sometimes. So, you know what happens? I don’t deal with it.
If he fucking signs a deal with fucking those guys, he ain’t going anywhere. Nobody can get out of those fucking deals they have. And Viacom will sue you until you fucking bleed, sue you until you bleed. Yeah, that’s a whole ‘nother ball game over there. Everybody wants to talk about the UFC, how we’re bullies or whatever; they’re the fucking bullies. And they have these contracts that you cannot get out of. Look at Eddie Alvarez.”
Another good point from White. While he’s come off as brash and heartless in his dealing with topics such as fighter sponsorship, you can’t argue with the factual statements he makes about Viacom. That’s not to say that there aren’t several things that need to change in the UFC concerning fighters, because there are.
Former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre may be at the forefront of this movement.
But that’s another topic for a different time. As for Melendez, he’s tested the waters and found what he feels like will be a greener pasture. Will it work out in his favor?
Photo: Kyle Terada for USA TODAY Sports
