"If you don’t think you have a pay problem then why hide a fighter's opinion on it" - Fans split after UFC's YouTube channel fails to upload Luke Rockhold's media day interview
MMA fans have reacted after one fan noticed that the UFC had failed to upload Luke Rockhold's UFC 278 media day interview.
The controversy follows a tough week for the UFC and Dana White amidst fighter pay concerns. Rockhold has been very vocal about his displeasure with the organization and its pay model for fighters. Many fans believe it's for that very reason that the promotion has not uploaded his interview.
Eagle-eyed Twitter user @jedigoodman was the first to notice the 37-year-old's interview missing from the UFC's YouTube channel:
"Luke Rockhold's media day interview wasn't posted."
Luke Rockhold's media day interview wasn't posted. https://t.co/FMeXrR7Bur
Fans have reacted to the post, with one user (@Y2jkanertj) questioning why the UFC would hide Rockhold's interview if it believed there was no issue with fighter pay:
"That's some pu** shit, if you don't think you have a pay problem then why hide a fighters opinion on it."
@jedigoodman That’s some puss shit, if you don’t think you have a pay problem then why hide a fighters opinion on it 🤔
Another fan (@HughJassole96) joked that he hoped the 37-year-old would be victorious at UFC 278 this weekend and the camera showed the reaction of Dana White and Hunter Campbell:
"Oh god I hope he wins this weekend. And that the camera immediately pans to Dana and Hunter lmao"
@jedigoodman Oh god I hope he wins this weekend. And that the camera immediately pans to Dana and Hunter lmao
Twitter user @GogidzeTemo believes the UFC refusing to upload the video could mean more journalists asking fighter pay questions at press conferences:
"Press conference somebody gonna ask fighter pay question"
@jedigoodman press conference somebody gonna ask fighter pay question
Check out some of the other fan reactions below:
@jedigoodman I'd be very surprised if it was
@jedigoodman Dana White & UFC.. crusaders for free speech lol
@jedigoodman I'm not surprised
@jedigoodman It’s funny how everyone who would complain about freedom of speech and censorship stays silent when it comes to Luke rockhold speaking against the company.
@jedigoodman It would have been funny if they posted it titled “We don’t pay enough.” Luke media scrum
@jedigoodman Any company would do that, plain common sense. Why post something that discredits your own brand?
@anthv1q @jedigoodman Any company would fire him but they keep him locked up in his contract.
@jedigoodman lol wonder why🤣🤦🏾♂️
@jedigoodman #1 bullshit
@jedigoodman Because it sucked. He’s the most ungrateful human on the planet. He’s part of the lucky sperm club and never once has he acknowledged being born with the gift of size, athleticism, pretty privilege, championship belts, tv shows and modeling contracts. Rooting for @BorrachinhaMMA
@jedigoodman It's really bad that he's the messenger. He's correct but he's such a tool that it makes it nearly impossible to even agree with him.
@jedigoodman The people's champ Luke Cockhold
Luke Rockhold believes the UFC uses managers to keep fighters quiet
Luke Rockhold appears to have had his eyes set on both Paulo Costa and the UFC in the last few weeks. The former middleweight champion is due to face 'Borrachina' at UFC 278 this weekend but has spent much of the fight build-up criticizing the organization.
While the UFC and Dana White are no strangers to public criticism, Rockhold has made some accusations that could have damning ramifications if true.
The 37-year-old spoke with CBS Sports' Shakiel Mahjouri and stated that he believes the UFC uses managers with a lot of fighters under their belts to prevent the athletes from speaking out against the organization:
"I think fighters need to grow a pair... Fighters just don't grow a pair and you got managers that are in the pocket of the UFC that govern a massive umbrella of fighters. The UFC uses these two or three managers – we all know who they are – who have lots of key players in the game and those fighters under their banner will never speak up against the UFC. And that's the UFC's monopoly, their mafioso tactic."
Catch Luke Rockhold's full interview here: