Anthony Pettis shares disappointment over young fighters prioritizing UFC Contender Series bouts over other lucrative offers
Mixed martial arts promotions across the world have propelled the ever-growing sport into a global spectacle, and the UFC will remain a pioneering entity in the MMA world. However, there are other options out there, according to Anthony Pettis.
The former lightweight champion spoke to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour and addressed the new wave of young fighters and their persistent dream of making it to the world's premier mixed martial arts promotion:
"The management side, it’s sad to see these guys make the decisions they make,” Pettis said. “I’ve been there and some of these guys will pass up on some big contracts in hopes to get on a Contender Series fight. I see it time after time after time and I’m like, ‘Man, look at your career. Look at what age you are. Look at how much time you’ve got left. Let’s make some money before it’s gone.' It’s still there, that UFC dream of these guys want to be on Contender Series fights. They’ll risk not making money to take an opportunity on that."
Pettis further elaborated on his point and mentioned several newer promotions that are currently doing a similarly great job:
“I get it, they see me and they see what the UFC’s done for my name. Being a champion in the UFC definitely allowed me to do what I’m doing now, but it’s just I thought we were past that at this stage. Seeing PFL coming in strong, Bellator, ONE; there’s so many organizations that these guys are just so fixated on one place, but that’s the hard part about management. You really can’t control these guys, you can give them the advice and it’s ultimately their decision.”
Check out Anthony Pettis' comments:
Dana White rules out the possibility of a return to the UFC for Brock Lesnar
Recently crowned heavyweight champion Jon Jones has previously revealed that Brock Lesnar is his dream opponent.
The former WWE champion was a part of the promotion's roster back in the day and holds a 5-3 record in mixed martial arts. With Jon Jones' championship success and return to action, Dana White was questioned on a possible return to the octagon by Brock Lesnar.
The head honcho replied:
"Brock and I have a great relationship, and we always have, but I don’t think Brock wants to fight anymore. Brock’s made a lot of money. He came into the UFC and won the heavyweight title. He’s got nothing left to prove. I don’t think he’d want to do it."
White cited Lesnar's lack of motivation and commercial incentives for the accomplished superstar as possible reasons why he would not return.
Check out Dana White's full comments below:
Dana White on Jon Jones against Brock Lesnar: “Brock’s made a lot of money. He came into the UFC and won the heavyweight title. He’s got nothing left to prove. I don’t think he’d want to do it” thespun.com/more/mma/dana-…