It’s kind of hard not to believe with Wanderlei of all people.
It would be a miracle if he didn’t have isssues.
2 Likes
Sucks to hear.
He was always one of my all time favorites.
3 Likes
UFC bought pride…so technically he is suing correct people
4 Likes
Definitely coached.
And I hope they all get paid.
2 Likes
Reuters had a breakdown of the payouts.
Over 1,000 members in the class action, and they will receive between $15,000 up to over $1m.
Average payout is $250K.
35 members are expected to receive over $1m.
Around 800 fighters will receive around $80K.
5 Likes
Good
Only one of these that I believe is Spencer Fisher. He’s been saying for several years now how messed up he is and Dana was taking care of him financially before the UFC was purchased. Shane Carwin was still gainfully employed as an engineer a year or two ago while he was still trolling r/mma
2 Likes
The left high kick opened this cut on him. Seriously, when I saw that I figured his career was pretty much done.
1 Like
Spencer, love ya, but if ya broke, maybe stop having kids.
3 Likes
I hope they get cash payouts and medical care because fuck Ari and TKO but pretending you were unaware of the health consequences of getting punched and kicked in the head is bitch shit. No one forced you to step in cage.
2 Likes
This lawsuit could be the end of Power Slap. Imagine explaining to a judge how you have to hold your hands behind you back and get struck. And how you get penalized for flinching.
2 Likes
When these guys get their payouts they will quickly be broke again. Many of them already made life changing money and have blown it. The ‘need money now’ statements shows impulse control problems which are probably CTE related.
2 Likes
They had to know that fighting wasn’t good for their bodies or their brains and they chose to do it anyway.
It’s pretty fucking sad that these icons of the sport are broke and struggling.
It’s a double edged sword because in my eyes these guys deserve to be looked after, all of them.
But it’s also a dangerous career path, and it should warrant serious consideration and education before stepping into it.
I’m not really across healthcare in America, I know it’s not amazing, and I’m sure I recall a large group of athletes coming together to demand healthcare in this sport?
I’m all for that. Warriors who come out and give everything they have for us…they deserve a safety net surely because having your career earnings eaten away by medical bills is kinda fucked.
1 Like
I tend to agree.
These are lump-sum cash payments, not any type of ongoing compensation or anything like a guaranteed health insurance policy (which TBH would have been more sensible).
Just as an example, during his peak earning years in the UFC, Wand was getting tooth gems and custom-wrapping his Aston Martin along with buying a bunch of other superficial nonsense that he liked to flex.
Should have just put that money in the S&P500!
2 Likes
Over 50 former UFC fighters submitted letters of support for the proposed settlement agreement in the Le vs. Zuffa antitrust class-action lawsuit.
According to online records, the letters were filed Monday by plaintiffs as part of a memorandum in support of settlement. The filing comes 12 days after the agreement proposal was filed Sept. 26.
News of the filings was first reported by journalist John Nash.
The proposed agreement amount is $375 million. It comes less than two months after U.S. District Court judge Richard Boulware denied an initial proposal of $335 million.
The initial proposal also included Johnson vs. Zuffa under its umbrella, whereas the current proposal is strictly for Le vs. Zuffa.
The letters
Many fighters who wrote letters painted a picture of life after fighting. Reoccurring themes across the letters include financial struggles, physical injuries, brain trauma concerns, and mental health problems.
The fighters reiterated their preference for immediate financial relief rather than risking the outcomes of a trial, which could benefit the fighters more or leave them completely empty-handed.
“For me, a significant recovery in the near future is much more appealing than the possibility of a larger recovery several years from now, especially in light of the possibility that there would be no recovery at all if this settlement were not approved,” each letter read. “In my situation, a bird in the hand truly does beat two (or three, or even nine) in the bush.”
Among the most notable names is UFC Hall of Famer Wanderlei Silva, who stated concerns for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
“While fighting for the UFC, I suffered many significant injuries, including concussions,” Silva wrote. “I fear that during my career I have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) and am noticing symptoms common with TBI and CTE including depression, mood swings, and irritability. To date, no treatment for CTE has been found. I suffer from sleep apnea and have difficulty sleeping and breathing.”1
1 Like
Wanderlei:
I’m all fucked up because of brutal violence.
Also Wanderlei:
Why sue the org that paid them to fight? Why
Not the gym they trained at? The trainers? The sparring partners? The opponents in the actual fights? None forced them to fight, but if someone is ti blame then why only the one promotion?
Its like on of these smokers that are suing the tobacco company for getting lung cancer.
2 Likes
I watched ninja at bamma. Can’t remember who he was fighting.