"And if you let these motherf*****s think that they have that leverage, it's only gonna grow above you. So it's just people understanding their worth."
Luke Rockhold is an American professional mixed martial artist (MMA). Rockhold is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he competes in the Light Heavyweight division. Rockhold is a former UFC Middleweight Champion.
The UFC is notorious for being anti-union. Based on records made available through an ongoing class action lawsuit from numerous ex-UFC fighters, the promotion has approximately paid out 16 to 20 percent of the revenue to the athletes. Most other major sports leagues — including the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball — pay out around 50 percent of the revenue to the athletes. (source)
Nearly 80 percent of MMA athletes said they would be in favor of organizing a union (source).
Kobe Bryant even suggested the UFC should have a union. In May of 2017 Bryant was invited to speak to UFC fighters at an athlete’s retreat and was asked by labor organizer and featherweight contender Leslie Smith about the importance of collective bargaining and labor unions to NBA athletes like him.
Kobe answered as follows:
“Even us as players, where we have our union meetings and things of that nature, we’re normally at each other’s throats competing against each other. But we understand completely that a rising tide raises all boats,” Bryant continued. “When you guys have this unity and you guys are operating together on the same page together, it does nothing but simply fortify the sport, make the sport better. Not just for the present, but also for future generations that are coming. So, it’s extremely important.” (source).
-------------------------------------------
Edited Transcript of Luke Rockhold’s Press Conference for UFC 278 on August 17, 2022.
(Full video here)
(Question)
Over the past few weeks you've been very vocal about fighter to pay. Do you worry that maybe the promotion will sort of be rooting against you if you continue to talk out about that subject?
Root against me for what? What are they gonna do?
I mean, root against me, go for it, do your thing, dude, I'm here to fight.
I'm not saying anything that's not real.
Everything I'm saying is justified and truthful.
Just because like, I should be in a position of power before I say this shit? Fuck off, I got nothing to lose. I don't need this business.
I love the fighting and I'm here to fight the best motherfuckers and this happens to be the place where it's done, you know?
They need to grow this whole fucking thing needs to grow together.
Our lives are on the fucking line.
Healthcare needs to be taken care of, our fucking health needs to be taken care of.
Mine has not been taken care of, you know what I mean?
Like, yeah, this is business, every business is like this, it's about leverage, it's a game of leverage and life.
And it's about fucking, always keeping the upper hand.
It's it's not just here, it's everywhere.
And if you let these motherfuckers think that they have that leverage, it's only gonna grow above you. So it's just people understanding their worth.
(Question)
And when you say your health hasn't been taken care of, can you elaborate on that?
I don't, I don't need to, I mean, it's just, it. things should be easier. You know what I mean?
Insurance should be fucking year round.
The giant is growing and it's like, there's one thing that should be fucking paramount is these fighters health, you know?
It's fucking our lives and our bodies are on the line every fucking time I step into that cage, and if we're not fucking protected, it's like, fuck, come on, wake up.
-------------------------------------------
About the Labor Solidarity Podcast
The Labor Solidarity Podcast highlights the work of labor leaders while discussing historic struggles and the importance of organizing with the goal of building international labor solidarity. The Labor Podcast is hosted by Elise Bryant and Evan Papp.
Learn more at: https://www.empathymedialab.com/laborsolidarity
The Labor Solidarity Podcast is an Empathy Media Lab production and we are a proud member of The Labor Radio Podcast Network. Learn more: https://wlo.link/@empathymedialab
#LaborRadioPod
#1U
#UnionStrong
#ufc #boxing #bjj #muaythai #jiujitsu #mma #kickboxing #wrestling #fitness #fight #training #sport #judo #martialarts #fighter #karate #gym #grappling #conormcgregor #wwe #workout #motivation #bellator #champion #russia #brazilianjiujitsu #repost #mmafighter #mixedmartialarts #knockout
Prayer of the 54th Regiment Before the Battle of Fort Wagner - Morgan Freeman
End Eco-Colonialism and Free Africa’s Nuclear Energy with Princy Mthombeni
Nuclear Surplus Energy: China vs. United States
An Artist’s Duty - Nina Simone
Energy 101 with Isaac Orr on The Power Hungry Podcast - Excerpt
Mexico and U.S. Labor Solidarity Lessons Learned with Robin Alexander
Ain’t I A Woman? Reverend Addie Wyatt on Sojourner Truth
JFK On Revolution - March 13, 1962
JFK Alliance for Progress first Anniversary speech - March 13, 1962
Killing People with a Bad Electrical Grid - Meredith Angwin: Author of Shorting the Grid
What Is Your Life’s Blueprint? Martin Luther King Jr. Speech Excerpt - October 26, 1967
Robert Frost Reads His Poem The Road Not Taken
Jazz Lewis - Delegate Representing District 24 - Maryland House of Delegates
No Time - A beautiful sad soul blues folk tune by Ronald Charles McKernan
Chisenga - Global Hip Hop Artist, Producer, and Sound Engineer
My soul has grown deep like the rivers - Langston Hughes
Driving home with the Labor Radio Podcast Network
Why Love? A message from Belief Street Faith and Labor.
CEOs Screwing Workers with Sarah Anderson of the Global Economy Project at IPS and Co-Editor of Inequality.org
The Coalition of Labor Union Women Response to the Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade.
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free