St-Pierre, Cerrone, Velasquez and more announce ‘industry re-defining’ Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association

On Monday, it was announced in a press release that some major names in the sport of mixed martial arts were going to make a “industry re-defining” announcement on Wednesday.

Many were speculating the announcement to have to do with a fighter’s union or association and it was revealed on the media conference call to be just that.

UFC fighter Tim Kennedy was the first to speak and announced, “We’re gonna change the face of an entire industry and sport today.”

Tim Kennedy: We’re gonna change the face of an entire industry and sport today.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) November 30, 2016

Kennedy stated the the “fighters have been left behind” even after the huge amount of financial success the promotions have gotten, as anyone could only point to the UFC’s recent $4 billion sale to new owners WME-IMG. Kennedy went on to say that their new association, the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association plans to leave no fighter left behind.

Tim Kennedy: I am proud to announce the official launch of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association.

— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) November 30, 2016

Kennedy also introduced the infamous attorney Jim Quinn, who is Georges St-Pierre’s lawyer negotiating his current contract with the UFC and has a winning record with fighting big sports leagues such as the NBA and NFL.

St-Pierre spoke and said that the UFC will likely try to portray him as a bad figure by being a part of the association.

GSP: Maybe to UFC I will be seen as a villain like I was when I spoke about PEDs. But that situation was rectified, so hoping this will too.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 30, 2016

Interestingly, “Rush” stated that even the UFC’s highest paid athlete in history, Conor McGregor is not getting paid the fair amount. St-Pierre stated that the UFC fighters are getting paid around 8% of the revenue while most other high-level professional sports are getting a 50/50 split. The former UFC welterweight kingpin stated that without any of the fighters, the UFC was simply three letters of the alphabet.

GSP says most sports are a 50/50 split but in this sport the fighters get about 8%. Not even Conor McGregor gets his fair share.

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) November 30, 2016

Donald Cerrone also took his stance with the association addressing health care for the fighters and now is willing to take a stance with an association whereas years ago he admitted he was afraid to.

“I don’t know what the fuck I’m getting myself into here, but I’m here to stand with the 500 fighters in the UFC.”

— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) November 30, 2016

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw also spoke and said that hearing they make only 8% of the revenue was absurd to him.

“I’m not sitting behind a desk. I’m out there putting my life on the line. It would be nice to reap some reward from it.”

Dillashaw: I’m not sitting behind a desk. I’m out there putting my life on the line. It would be nice to reap some reward from it.

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) November 30, 2016

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez also spoke on his stance with the association and mentioned the many surgeries that he has had to go through in his career with one already lined up after he fights in December

Velasquez says he's had seven surgeries. Will fight on Dec. 30 and already has another surgery scheduled after.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 30, 2016

Bellator founder Bjorn Rebney who was let go by the parent company Viacom also spoke for the association and has been working on this for two years.

Rebney: These athletes are risking more for less than any pro athlete on earth. They are paid pennies on the dollar.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 30, 2016

Rebne: This is my focus. We've been working on this for two years

— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) November 30, 2016

Rebney has faced criticism as a promoter but Kennedy stated that the five fighters at the media call were the board members.

Kennedy: the five fighters there today are the board members. Bjorn is not on the board. The fighters will make all the calls.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 30, 2016

What are your thoughts on the announcement of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association and those that are currently involved? Sound off in the comments!