5 UFC fighters who became MMA promoters
UFC president Dana White once described the experience of signing with the promotion as an opportunity as opposed to a career. It is a sentiment that isn't shared by many of the UFC's current fighters, leading some to question whether remaining with the UFC is sensible in the long term.
Fighters like Yoel Romero and Corey Anderson, who had previous grievances with the UFC, signed with rival promotion Bellator MMA. Among the most vocal critics of the promotion's organizational structure is Nate Diaz. The Stockton legend is scheduled to face undefeated welterweight phenom Khamzat Chimaev this Saturday at UFC 279.
Ahead of the bout, Diaz spoke about his frustrations with the UFC turning down his proposed matchup with Dustin Poirier before leaving the MMA world scratching its head by calling for bouts with Israel Adesanya and Francis Ngannou. While Dana White eventually convinced him to accept a fight with Chimaev, Nate Diaz took the opportunity to launch his own promotion, Real Fight Inc., where he hopes to right the perceived wrongs of the UFC.
In honor of Nate Diaz's decision, this list looks at 5 fighters who became MMA promoters, be it for one reason or another.
#5. Urijah Faber, A1 Combat Series
Often credited with bringing more attention to the lower weight classes during a time when fight fans were more interested in heavyweight MMA clashes, Urijah Faber is a legend of the sport beloved by many. The former WEC featherweight champion harnessed that goodwill by launching his own promotion, Urijah Faber's A1 Combat Series. A1 Combat was launched in May this year and recently had its fifth show three days ago.
Urijah Faber is the latest fighter to take a crack at the promoting side of things.
Urijah Faber's A1 Combat is set for May 1 in Wheatland, Calif. (h/t @TheRottOne). It will feature professional and amateur MMA fights. UFC alum Teruto Ishihara among those on the card. https://t.co/zkeMNBAc94
While Faber has not stepped inside the octagon since his knockout loss to former bantamweight champion Petr Yan three years ago, his connection to the UFC remains as strong as ever. A1 Combat Series events are streamed on UFC Fight Pass, exposing 'The California Kid's' promotion to a wider range of fight fans who might otherwise miss it were it aired elsewhere. With his days as an active MMA fighter behind him, Faber's aimed his focus on being an MMA promoter.