Crisis averted.
After formally requesting his release from World Series of Fighting (WSOF) earlier today (April 4, 2014), Josh Burkman has come to terms with the upstart mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion and will fulfill his contract with a welterweight title shot against the winner of Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch.
MMA Junkie explains why:
At the center of the controversy was Burkman's pay at WSOF 9, where he knocked out Stinson in the first round. While Burkman agreed to be paid a flat rate of $25,000 rather than his contracted amount (which Abdelaziz declined to reveal but did say the show money was less than the flat rate). After some back-and-forth between the fighter and the promotion, WSOF officials elected to make up the difference between the flat fee and the contracted rate with a special bonus check, cut today.
Dollars and sense.
Burkman has the opportunity to put himself in prime position with a championship win this summer. Grabbing the belt in his final fight drives up his asking price for WSOF, while also making him a more attractive acquisition for competing organizations.
It sure beats storming off in a huff.
Fitch and Palhares are expected to hook 'em up just as soon as they can agree on a date. For more on Burkman's win at WSOF 9 click here. To see how his falling out with WSOF started click here.