UFC lightweight Tony Ferguson has joined the chorus calling for improved working conditions among UFC fighters. Following his declaration earlier this week that UFC president Dana White acts like a “drug dealer”, Tony used his platform at the UFC 274 press conference to demand that the UFC organization cover health insurance for all their fighters.
When asked if he would be lobbying for increased win bonuses at UFC 274 the way he did at UFC 262, Ferguson had another perk in mind. “I’d say let’s get some insurance for these fighters.
Tony Ferguson Calls for UFC Health Insurance: ‘We all have families’
Let’s raise the tier up. You know what I mean? When they did the Reebok [uniform] deal [in 2014], they had tiers, so how many fights you had inside the octagon. I’d say we do the same thing, man. We all have families, we all have to support our systems, and let’s do that s***, man. I don’t know, Dana’s not here, but [let’s get] insurance.
I’m a grown ass man. I have to look [out] for my family, so insurance is cool with me.” When the UFC had a sponsorship deal with Reebok, money was allocated to athletes according to tiers based on their tenure with the promotion. More fights meant a bigger payout.
Fighters signed to the UFC are classified as independent contractors. They only receive formalized health insurance in the event that they are injured in a fight or while preparing for one, which has drawn criticism.
Justin Gaethje, who will challenge lightweight champ Charles Oliveira in the headliner at UFC 274, echoed the sentiment. “I want bigger bonuses. Bigger bonuses, for sure. And health insurance. But bigger bonuses.”
Tony Ferguson then switched to business as usual for a pre-fight press conference, hyping up his upcoming bout with Michael Chandler. With both Ferguson and Chandler on losing streaks, Ferguson insists that he’s going to have some fun in the Octagon on Saturday night.
“I’m having fun now. This is actually really fun. I’m excited. I’m excited to just to go in there and do exactly how I visualized this on the drive out here. That’s getting my hand raised in victory.”
Chandler is similarly hyped, singing Tony Ferguson’s praises. “That’s what I’ve said since the very beginning, that’s why this fight wakes me up early, and that’s why this fight scares me, and that’s why this fight has motivated me.
Tony Ferguson is a certified 1-of-1 talent. He’s hard to prepare for. Nobody in the gym can show me that look. And I think there is a method to his madness, and his win streaks have showed it. I’m going to go out there and compete, and hopefully get a finish.”
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