Is the Reebok/UFC Deal Backfiring? – Breaking MMA News

By Nathan “Diesel” Hendrickson

Recently, the UFC implemented the controversial UFC/Reebok uniform requirement. It provides for a uniform for every fighter with no sponsors other than Reebok on their clothing (Although the last UFC feature some Monster Energy Drink logos. Don’t ask me why.) Reebok will provide each fighter a fixed amount of sponsorship money based upon how many fights they have in the UFC. Commentary on the arrangement has been mixed, with some fighters saying that they are losing money because their traditional sponsors are not allowed to put logos on their walkout gear any longer.

Jacob “Stitch”Moran is a well-known boxing and MMA cutman and casual fans of either sport can often easily identify him ringside or cageside. Stitch has worked with more MMA fighters than I can even name, and he often works with the Klitschko brothers and Andre Ward in boxing. He is that rare cutman who has minor celebrity and even had a cameo role in the MMA comedy Here Comes the Boom.

Stitch Moran is unhappy with the UFC/Reebok deal and took to Twitter to express his concerns. I would encourage Ringside Report readers to go check out @StitchDuran on Twitter because his page is blowing up as I type this. When asked earlier if the UFC/Reebok deal cost him sponsors, Stitch replied, “ Brother, I lost everything regarding sponsors from pay to a nice vest! Now I have no fees and a generic vest.”

According to a report on BloodyElbow.com, Stitch is saying that his sponsorship money was a large part of his income and that he might have to hand his business card over to more boxers. That would be unfortunate to the UFC because the UFC would lose access to experienced cutmen.

Ringside Report readers may be aware that I’m a lawyer, and I have been accused of over thinking things, although my wife would disagree. I’m not sure of the employment status of cutmen. They are not fighters. Are they independent contractors? Are they still subject to the UFC/Reebok deal? Stitch sure seems to think so. The fighters are getting compensated, but evidently the cutmen are not. It’s odd for a cutman to have his pay regulated by a third person. I must admit that I don’t know the legal framework on how UFC cutmen are employed. I’ll follow up on the cutman issue and get back to all of you faithful readers in the future.

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