The options for mixed martial artists in 2016 are a world away from the sport’s landscape in years gone by.
With more promotions willing to offer more money nowadays, fighters are becoming increasingly willing to test the market with free agency.
We’ve seen Bellator snatch up legitimate talent with former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and ranked heavyweight Matt Mitrione.
World Series of Fighting is another option for unhappy UFC fighters and the Ray Sefo-led promotion currently boasts such former UFC stars as Shawn Jordan, Jon Fitch and Yushin Okami.
With those alternatives in place for fighters, the trend of fighters stalling on re-signing deals is slowly gathering momentum as their contracts run up with the UFC.
One fighter who is in such a position is number one ranked welterweight Rory MacDonald who will be a free agent after his next fight, the headliner of UFC Fight Night 89 against Stephen Thompson, and he’s made no secret about wanting to test his worth before signing a contract.
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Last weekend, MacDonald tweeted a message of support to Conor McGregor during the Irishman’s highly publicised dispute with the UFC and the Tristar stand-out believes it’s a positive evolution for the sport for competitors to get the best possible deal for themselves.
“I think it’s important to get it out there,” MacDonald told The Fight Network. “It’s a known topic about fighter pay now and I think it’s beneficial to me that I get it out there too so when it comes time to negotiate I have other sources to talk with. It’s a known thing, people are buzzing about it. It’s a good thing.”
MacDonald, who hasn’t fought since the famous defeat to Robbie Lawler in the co-main event of last July’s UFC 189 card, will be a target for every promotion who can afford his asking price and Bellator president Scott Coker has already made his interest in ‘The Red King’ known.
MacDonald has been a loyal servant to the UFC since making his promotional debut in 2010 but, with a child on the way, he’s acknowledged that the time has come to consider his finances more deliberately.
“I’m a simple martial arts guy,” MacDonald added. “I come from humble beginnings so I don’t require a lot to feel comfortable. But now that I have a little girl on the way, I want to be able to provide everything she’s gonna need in her life. So that’s a big motivator to start getting paid for this because it doesn’t last forever.”
Fighter power is a topical subject in the MMA world right now with McGregor’s refusal to fulfil certain media obligations asked of him ahead of UFC 200 and MacDonald has repeated his appreciation for what the Irishman has done in terms of standing up for what he believes in.
“I look up to [McGregor] in that sense,” MacDonald said. “There’s a lot to be learned from his stance and sticking up for himself. Getting what he’s worth…Not just accepting what’s thrown at you. Standing up for yourself. That’s the thing martial artists aren’t used to. You’ve got to really stick up for yourself and be a tough businessman when it’s time for negotiations.”
