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Featured Image Credit: PA/UFC
Topics: UFC, Tony Ferguson, Dana White
Nasir Jabbar
Tony Ferguson launched an incredible rant against Dana White and slammed UFC fighter pay ahead of his return this weekend.
Ferguson pulled no punches as he took aim at the UFC president, claiming fighters on the roster are 'underpaid' amid the ongoing debate over UFC fighter pay.
'El Cucuy' delivered an explosive appearance at UFC 274 media day, venting about fighter mistreatment from the company.
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"I think we’re underpaid, personally, to be real," Ferguson said via MMA Junkie. "I asked Dana to box. He said, 'F**k no.' I’m like, 'Why? I want to go play baseball. I want to go do other pro sports. I’m an athlete. I grew up playing different sports at a high level.'
"I want to go do all these couple things but then I have this guy right here acting like a f**king drug dealer telling me I can’t go and do this sh*t. I want to go make more money for my family."
Ferguson added: "You make your money by showing up, winning and having good performances. Right now, we’re getting paid crypto, I guess, huh? They’re following everybody’s suit.
"They’re waiting for everybody to speak up. They’re waiting for everything else like that."
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The 38-year-old also admitted that he should've sued the promotion over their decision to strip him of his interim UFC lightweight title following a freak accident in 2018.
"I mean, when it comes down to that and I get stripped of my title because I took a fall and had a bad accident, I should’ve sued," he continued.
"But what I did was I felt good for my company. I wanted to be the man. I wanted to make sure everybody knew that I can f**king do this stuff without anybody else’s help.
"That’s a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, to kind of keep coming here and smiling and being used to be on a poster, so I have that high value."
Jake Paul, whose been campaigning for better pay in the UFC, wasted no time in reacting to Ferguson's jaw-dropping rant.
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On Twitter, he wrote: "Don’t listen to me, listen to a UFC fighter, @tonyfergusonXT, who has the courage to speak up.
"Dana White is a billionaire while fighters are itching and clawing to make ends meet. 'Dana White the drug dealer.'"
However, Conor McGregor - who previously shared the same management team as Ferguson - says the American fighter should look closer to home instead of blaming White.
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"Tony Ferguson, who changes representation around four times a year, is saying it’s someone [else’s] fault he is in the position he is in," McGregor said.
"How many bridges do you burn before you look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘Maybe it’s me that’s the issue’? God bless you, pal, I’ll say a prayer."
Ferguson, who's on a three-fight losing skid, faces Michael Chandler on the main-card of UFC 274.
He hasn't fought since his defeat to Beneil Dariush last year.