It’s not the salary demands that has former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski sitting on the sidelines. The Chicago-based fighter, who has one fight remaining on his current deal, just wants to fulfill the terms of his contract before he considers negotiating a new one.
Apparently unwilling to do that, the UFC has kept Arlovski sitting on the sidelines since his UFC 70 victory over Fabricio Werdum nearly seven months ago.
Roman Modrowski shed some light on the situation in today’s edition of the Chicago Sun-Times (MMAjunkie.com also mentioned the Arlovski-UFC situation briefly on Wednesday).
The UFC wants a new deal. Arlovski just wants to fight.
That’s what it all comes down to.
Although UFC 70 salary figures aren’t available, we do know that Arlovski made a base pay of $145,000 ($90,000 to show, $55,000 as a win bonus) at UFC 66. He’s surely going to require a pay raise, but the raise itself is no longer the issue. Arlovski simply wants to finish the contract and then discuss a new deal.
The UFC, though, wants a new deal in place before that fight is scheduled.
The reasons are numerous. Basically, though, UFC executives wouldn’t want Arlovski to win his last fight in spectacular fashion, only to jack up his asking price — or worse yet, garner a lucrative contract offer from a rival organization that could tempt Arlovski to bolt from the UFC.
The UFC’s stance isn’t unique to Arlovski. In fact, it’s a policy adopted by most major MMA organizations, especially those who sign fighters to exclusive contracts. They want fighters under contract at all times.
If the UFC makes an allowance for Arlovski, the organization’s other top-tier fighters are likely to demand the same opportunity.
According to Modrowski, Arlovski’s team and UFC executives haven’t spoke in nearly a month. With December, January and February fights card quickly filling up, the lack of communication doesn’t bode well for the prospects of Arlovski returning to the octagon anytime soon.
In fact, the stalemate could continue all the way to April 15. According to Modrowski, that’s the date Arlovski’s contract with the UFC expires. If true, that means Arlovski would be a free man — able to sign with any organization he pleases, including an M-1 Global promotion that’s busy looking for Fedor Emelianenko’s next opponents — in five months.
At just 28 years old, Arlovski can afford to wait.
During a media conference call last month, UFC President Dana White said that Arlovski hasn’t been forgotten and that he’ll be “sitting on the bench” until his representatives want to talk.
I’m sure they want to talk, but I doubt White wants to hear what they have to say.
Regardless, given the current situation, it could be another five months — a full year in total — before we see Arlovski back in action. And as it stands, there’s no telling if it’ll be in the UFC.
Apparently unwilling to do that, the UFC has kept Arlovski sitting on the sidelines since his UFC 70 victory over Fabricio Werdum nearly seven months ago.
Roman Modrowski shed some light on the situation in today’s edition of the Chicago Sun-Times (MMAjunkie.com also mentioned the Arlovski-UFC situation briefly on Wednesday).
The UFC wants a new deal. Arlovski just wants to fight.
That’s what it all comes down to.
Although UFC 70 salary figures aren’t available, we do know that Arlovski made a base pay of $145,000 ($90,000 to show, $55,000 as a win bonus) at UFC 66. He’s surely going to require a pay raise, but the raise itself is no longer the issue. Arlovski simply wants to finish the contract and then discuss a new deal.
The UFC, though, wants a new deal in place before that fight is scheduled.
The reasons are numerous. Basically, though, UFC executives wouldn’t want Arlovski to win his last fight in spectacular fashion, only to jack up his asking price — or worse yet, garner a lucrative contract offer from a rival organization that could tempt Arlovski to bolt from the UFC.
The UFC’s stance isn’t unique to Arlovski. In fact, it’s a policy adopted by most major MMA organizations, especially those who sign fighters to exclusive contracts. They want fighters under contract at all times.
If the UFC makes an allowance for Arlovski, the organization’s other top-tier fighters are likely to demand the same opportunity.
According to Modrowski, Arlovski’s team and UFC executives haven’t spoke in nearly a month. With December, January and February fights card quickly filling up, the lack of communication doesn’t bode well for the prospects of Arlovski returning to the octagon anytime soon.
In fact, the stalemate could continue all the way to April 15. According to Modrowski, that’s the date Arlovski’s contract with the UFC expires. If true, that means Arlovski would be a free man — able to sign with any organization he pleases, including an M-1 Global promotion that’s busy looking for Fedor Emelianenko’s next opponents — in five months.
At just 28 years old, Arlovski can afford to wait.
During a media conference call last month, UFC President Dana White said that Arlovski hasn’t been forgotten and that he’ll be “sitting on the bench” until his representatives want to talk.
I’m sure they want to talk, but I doubt White wants to hear what they have to say.
Regardless, given the current situation, it could be another five months — a full year in total — before we see Arlovski back in action. And as it stands, there’s no telling if it’ll be in the UFC.