Stephen Thompson might be a little disappointed after Dana White’s response to his payment claim for UFC 291. So is UFC even going to pay him or not? Continue reading to find out!
Thompson successfully made weight in Salt Lake City for his anticipated match on July 29. However, his opponent Michel Pereira failed to meet the agreed weight limit, coming in three pounds over. Instead of opting for a financial settlement based on a portion of Pereira’s earnings due to the weight difference, Thompson chose to withdraw from the bout. He elaborated on his decision, stating that it was reached after carefully deliberating the potential health risks and the impact on the fairness of competition.
However, UFC president Dana White has announced that Stephen Thompson will be granted certain recompense for the UFC 291 weigh-in situation. This compensation might not necessarily align with his designated earnings for the event.
Explaining the situation, White clarified that fighters aren’t compensated solely for opting out of a fight. He conveyed this during a conversation with MMA Junkie and other journalists after DWCS 57 at the UFC Apex. White stated that the UFC takes care of fighters who might be receiving lower payouts. If a fighter chooses not to participate in a bout, they would be eligible for a portion of their opponent’s earnings if they decide to take the fight. In the case of Stephen Thompson, who declined the fight due to Michel Pereira’s weight discrepancy, the UFC extended another fight offer to him. White emphasized that there’s a more intricate narrative behind the scenes and highlighted that fighters can’t simply decline to fight and expect substantial compensation. This approach has been consistent for all fighters in such situations.
At the outset of the UFC 291 event, Stephen Thompson had not received his show money despite successfully weighing in. This was confirmed by Thompson during an interview a few days later with reporter Ariel Helwani. Thompson expressed optimism that the UFC would rectify the situation and noted that ongoing discussions were occurring between the two parties. Dana White later corroborated this on Tuesday, revealing that talks were indeed ongoing. White conveyed that compensation, in some form, would be provided to the UFC welterweight contender Thompson.
However, he mentioned that the compensation might primarily be aimed at covering the costs incurred during his training camp, essentially reaching a point of breaking even. White emphasized the UFC’s practice of offering speedy rebooking options to fighters who opt out of about.
White elaborated, outlining the UFC’s multifaceted approach to handling such situations. If a fighter decides not to fight, they do not receive payment as stipulated in their contract. Nonetheless, the UFC makes it a priority to ensure that fighters are taken care of. White further explained that efforts were underway to resolve the matter with ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, with all details being handled behind the scenes. He anticipated that the situation would be resolved by Saturday.
What do you think of UFC’s decision? Is it fair, or does Thompson deserve better? Comment below to let us know!
