Vitor Belfort Compares UFC/Reebok Deal to Slavery
Vitor Belfort Compares UFC/Reebok Deal to Slavery
There may not be another career in MMA as storied or as complicated as that of Vitor Belfort.“The Phenom” and his remarkable knockout power became one of th
There may not be another career in MMA as storied or as complicated as that of Vitor Belfort.
“The Phenom” and his remarkable knockout power became one of the most visible stars under the UFC banner at just 19 years of age. And Belfort has remained one of their biggest draws nearly 20 years later.
While Belfort’s record shows his willingness to step in with the best of past and current generations, his rolling saga during the TRT days that gave way to the current USADA era left a murky haze over one of his legacy, and the topic of his impact on future generations came front and center during a recent interview with Sporttv.
Belfort isn’t happy with the restrictions set in place when the UFC signed on with Reebok for their now infamous sponsorship deal. Belfort became the latest fighter under Zuffa contract to speak out against the sponsorship deal, and the Brazilian knockout artist remained true to form by throwing some heavy wording at the situation.
“MMA is a lot closer to entertainment than sports these days. I’m not satisfied with the way the company is handling sponsorship. We are putting much living in slavery. We can’t use our own sponsors, they are banned inside the Octagon. We have no properties.”
“All my next fights could be my last. So you should make your dream as if it was your last, too. I’m very happy with my career and everything I conquered. I do this because I love it, today. I’m still a voice to be heard. I can still help the sport.”
While Belfort isn’t the first fighter to speak out on the Reebok deal, he’s certainly one of the biggest names to have done so. He has also competed in multiple eras where sponsorship money could be made in droves for a fighter of his prominence in the game. Those days have come and gone, and judging from the imagery created from his comments, Belfort is none too pleased with how this affects him personally, as well as the future athletes in MMA.
“The Phenom” and his remarkable knockout power became one of the most visible stars under the UFC banner at just 19 years of age. And Belfort has remained one of their biggest draws nearly 20 years later.
While Belfort’s record shows his willingness to step in with the best of past and current generations, his rolling saga during the TRT days that gave way to the current USADA era left a murky haze over one of his legacy, and the topic of his impact on future generations came front and center during a recent interview with Sporttv.
Belfort isn’t happy with the restrictions set in place when the UFC signed on with Reebok for their now infamous sponsorship deal. Belfort became the latest fighter under Zuffa contract to speak out against the sponsorship deal, and the Brazilian knockout artist remained true to form by throwing some heavy wording at the situation.
“MMA is a lot closer to entertainment than sports these days. I’m not satisfied with the way the company is handling sponsorship. We are putting much living in slavery. We can’t use our own sponsors, they are banned inside the Octagon. We have no properties.”
“All my next fights could be my last. So you should make your dream as if it was your last, too. I’m very happy with my career and everything I conquered. I do this because I love it, today. I’m still a voice to be heard. I can still help the sport.”
While Belfort isn’t the first fighter to speak out on the Reebok deal, he’s certainly one of the biggest names to have done so. He has also competed in multiple eras where sponsorship money could be made in droves for a fighter of his prominence in the game. Those days have come and gone, and judging from the imagery created from his comments, Belfort is none too pleased with how this affects him personally, as well as the future athletes in MMA.