Once the official payout structure for the sponsorship deal between Reebok and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) went public (see it here), the mixed martial arts (MMA) community took to Twitter to let their voices be heard.
And you knew it was going to be chock full of mixed reactions, as the structure will see the majority of the coin go to the long-time seasoned veterans, while the relative newcomers will have to ask for more fights if they want a larger slice of the limited $70 million pie.
With the deal -- which goes into effect in two months -- all previous sponsors fighters will be prohibited to sport the logos or names of their other sponsors during and leading up to their respective fights. In other words, there were numerous unhappy campers venting on Twitter.
Have a look:
Reebok sponsorship deal is more money than I got paid fighting on European shows,would I like more hell yea but who wouldn't #stayhumble
— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) May 6, 2015
Congrats @Reebok, you got the deal of the century. Unfortunately, it was at the cost of the fighters. Hope the bad press is worth it. @ufc
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) May 6, 2015
"@douglasc_hill: @FrontRowBrian does it make Bellator a viable option now?" Big time! Bellator wins because reebok deal so putrid
— FrontRowBrian® (@FrontRowBrian) May 6, 2015
Why complain about something if you don't plan on doing something about it! ☕️
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 6, 2015
Checked my email to good news! 21 in the books with zuffa. Thank you @lorenzofertitta @danawhite @Reebok @ufc
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) May 6, 2015
Definitely need to get more fights booked...according to what counts, I'm only at 6 since 2011...definitely not enough!!
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) May 6, 2015
For me, I barely got any sponsorship money, but Im ok w/not whoring myself out to 6-7 companies to look NASCAR. New system= half my earnings
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) May 6, 2015
I understand the reasoning given for the Reebok deal, but the deal has to make sense for at least 80% of the fighters in regards to tiers
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) May 6, 2015
@Silverback316 understand what theUFC trying to do...those numbers just hurt fighters like me who spend 2-3k on fight camp just getting prep
— Roger Narvaez (@Silverback316) May 6, 2015
Dana White always says fighters have a small window to make money & get out. Now they have to fight more than 20 times to maximize earning.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) May 6, 2015
@Mayhem2_3 @marc_raimondi just hurts because I have great sponsors that have always financially helped....it's going to be hard on fighters
— Roger Narvaez (@Silverback316) May 6, 2015
I've made six figures in sponsorship in each of my last 6 fights https://t.co/gotToaSDJh
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) May 6, 2015
@SBNLukeThomas @bokamotoESPN just like any other sport? With Pacquiao making 2.5 million in sponsors alone? Or nba wearing their own shoes?
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) May 6, 2015
You are paid to fight end of.. Stop bitching about sponsorship @ufc
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) May 6, 2015
I have done very well in sponsorship for my 2ufc bouts but sponsorship is just a bonus. I get paid to beat my opponents ass @arielhelwani
— Ryan Benoit (@BabyfaceBenoit) May 6, 2015
You've seen their reactions ... what's yours?