MESA, Ariz. — Tito Ortiz was one of three ex-UFC legends on hand for the debut of the United Fight League on Saturday evening at Bell Bank Park.
Ortiz, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Frank Mir have lent their star power to the MMA start-up because founder Harrison Rogers has promised to put the fighters first, giving them health insurance, life insurance and a stake of the company.
While it could take years for the UFL to find a sliver of the UFC’s popularity, the philosophy is a breath of fresh air to the three former world champions.
“We want to give fighters the opportunity to be reciprocated as a part of the business,” Ortiz told Compare.bet in an exclusive interview. “As a fighter coming up, I want a piece of the pie. If I would have gotten a piece of the pie when they sold (the UFC) for $4 billion, I’d be sitting really happy right now. So we’re making this an opportunity, and we’re not just thinking about ourselves. We’re thinking about all the fighters that are willing to put their life on the line in that cage.”
It keeps getting better!
Health insurance
Life insurance
Equity shares in the company!?@HarrisonJRogers where were you when I was champion?All you young fighters, hope you see what this is and take advantage of what @UnitedFightL is offering pic.twitter.com/p4vyUQKV9l
— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) January 30, 2023
Ortiz said the philosophy is in contrast to the UFC. The plight of Francis Ngannou is the most recent example.
The UFC heavyweight champion recently left the league after the two sides failed to come to terms on a new contract, Ngannou said he was advocating for fighter health insurance and better sponsorship opportunities, but those requests were denied.
Ngannou became the first reigning champion to leave the UFC since B.J. Penn in 2004.
“When you become bigger than the brand, they don’t like it,” said Ortiz, a UFC Hall of Famer who was the light heavyweight champion from 2000 to 2003. “I’m thankful for what (the UFC) has given me. They gave me an opportunity, and I use my name for the business stuff I’ve started. Francis Ngannou, just keep fighting, bro, because fighters care (about each other). Our careers only have a narrow opportunity when we are so big. UFC will be around forever. They will be making billions forever. So stick to your guns, man.”
Jackson was blown away when he heard about the philosophy of the United Fight League. He said making the fighters the priority is completely different than the stance of the UFC and other MMA leagues.
“It’s unheard of,” said Jackson, who defeated Chuck Liddell to become the UFC light heavyweight champion in 2007. “I don’t know what the other organizations are thinking, but I’m sure they’re not happy to hear someone is finally doing something like this.”
Ortiz, Jackson and Mir rocketed to superstardom, but there is an overwhelming number of fighters who never reach their level of success or fame.
Make sure y’all tune in to watch the new MMA league UFL the 1st fight league to offer health and life insurance and more 😉@UnitedFightL 👊🏾
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) February 18, 2023
Jackson loves attaching his name to a league that is trying to help every level of fighter sustain financial success for the long haul.
“Basketball players, football, baseball, they all get a pension,” Jackson said. “A lot of MMA fighters, our pioneers and our veterans, they’re retired and they aren’t doing so well financially. Back in the day you could retire and open up a gym, and training people would be good income. You’d own your own gym, and be a business owner. But now there’s big gyms that swallow up all the other gyms — the UFC gyms — so now you’ve got to compete with that. (Rogers) decided to go around that. His fighters get a piece of the pie. His slogan is ‘Everybody eats.’ I was like, ‘Man, that’s gangster. That’s hood. And it’s legit at the same time. Everybody eats.’”
Jackson said the United Fight League will encourage fighters to capitalize on their success with sponsorship opportunities, which wasn’t the case with the UFC.
“I left the UFC when they started doing the uniform thing, and one of the main reasons is because they took my sponsor, Reebok,” Jackson said. “Here, they’re not tripping.”
If you missed #UFL1 last night here’s the link to watch an amazing night of fights. It was great to be back on the mic with @BryanLaceyMMA and with @titoortiz @Rampage4real @HarrisonJRogers @CrissAngel @BensonHenderson @ryanbader @UnitedFightL https://t.co/tv9HWQPd4I
— Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) February 20, 2023
Ortiz has spent decades mentoring young fighters and he will do the same when working as an ambassador for the United Fight League.
He said the bouts should be the main focus, but there is also a financial element that the fighters must keep in mind, as growing their brand is essential.
“I always thought about it as a business,” Ortiz said. “I almost always fought just once a year. It was the Super Bowl every time I competed. I wanted to make sure the marketing, the branding, everything was done the right way. I hope a lot of fighters see what I’ve done. Conor McGregor has taken a few pages out of my book to do the things he’s done. You can talk the smack as long as you back it up.”
@UnitedFightL is not only the first MMA League to provide medical health insurance, Life insurance, and equity shares in the company, it now is going to be attracting top talent with million dollar Fight contracts 🔥#MMA #MMAFighters #FightersFirst #UFL #F3Energy pic.twitter.com/UqlEwm2lMp
— Harrison Rogers (@HarrisonJRogers) February 3, 2023
The UFC is the top dog in the MMA space, and both Ortiz and Jackson were quick to point out that the United Fight League isn’t trying to compete with that behemoth. But there is the belief that the small venture can evolve into something big.
“UFC is their own monster and they are an amazing program,” Ortiz said. “They do the best job possible in mixed martial arts. We’re Pepsi to the Coca-Cola. This league is made by fighters, for the fighters, and that’s why we’re doing this. Having guys like myself, Rampage, Frank Mir, we were at the top of the world and we want to give back. We have the belief that we can make the next big event. This is the event.”
