UFC 251: Jorge Masvidal ‘out for himself’ after backing down on fighter pay stance, says Kamaru Usman

Usman takes shot at Masvidal for agreeing new deal after ‘complaining’ about low fighter pay in the UFC

‘The moment he got a bit of extra money, guess what? Where’s all the unity now?’

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Jorge Masvidal celebrates beating Darren Till at UFC London. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:11am, 10 Jul 2020Updated: 11:50am, 10 Jul 2020

UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman has criticised UFC 251 opponent Jorge Masvidal for seemingly having double standards after taking the fight on short notice – and for a much bigger payday than he was first offered.

Usman’s (16-1) original opponent, Gilbert Burns, tested positive for coronavirus a week before Sunday’s fight on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. But Burns, coming off a dominant win over former champ Tyron Woodley in May, had only slid in after UFC matchmakers’ negotiations with Masvidal (35-13) broke down last month.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” feels Masvidal is “out for himself” after agreeing a new deal, despite weeks of disputes with the promotion over the state of fighter pay. The 35-year-old had bluntly told UFC president Dana White to release him from his contract if he wasn’t going to pay him what he felt he was worth.

“First of all, I was not saying Kamaru Usman wasn’t getting paid, my negotiations with the company are done behind closed doors,” Usman told Thursday’s virtual media day. “He was the one complaining about fighters needing this and that, but the moment he got a bit of extra money, guess what? Where’s all the unity now?

“Now here you are. It goes to show he’s out for himself. I’m glad he’s getting some money for this, because I wouldn’t wanna get my ass beat without getting paid out there.”