Alleged PFA document details goals for fighter organizing

The two best-known efforts to organize fighters are the PFA and the MMAFA. The two do not see eye to all in all regards but both seek to increase fighter income, among other goals.

The Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association was started by attorney Rob Maysey in 2009, and has attracted several prominent supporters, including Randy Couture, Jon Fitch, Cung Le, Nate Quarry, and Leslie Smith. The group advocates for a players association, as well as the extension of the Muhammad Ali to MMA.

The Professional Fighters Association launched in August and is led by baseball agent Jeff Boris and attorney Lucas Middlebrook. They are not attempting to organize professional fighting generally, or even fighters in the Viacom-owned Bellator MMA, or other top-tier promotions. Instead, their focus is solely on the UFC. A necessary step for Boris’s efforts to succeed is the redefining of UFC fighters as employees, rather than independent contractors as they are currently designated.

MMAjunkie co-founders John Morgan and Steven Marrocco obtained a document that allegedly details the PFA’s goals. It included a list of potential fighters who are not fully committed but presumably showed interest – Eddie Alvarez, Donald Cerrone, Nick Diaz, Urijah Faber, Al Iaquinta, Anthony Johnson, Kajan Johnson, Tim Kennedy, Gil Melendez, Leslie Smith, and Paige VanZant.

Top 10 PFA Goals:
1. Minimum pay of $25,000 to show and $25,000 to win.
2. Comprehensive health insurance for a fighter and family.
3) Pension: Fighters with 20+ UFC fights get $75,000 per year for life starting at age 65, $150,000 per year for 30+ fights, and $100,000 for Hall of Famers.
4. A mutually agreed upon drug testing process.
5. An independent arbitration process to resolve disputed between fighters and the league.
6. A share of ticket sales, television revenue, PPV revenue, and merchandise.
7. Agreed upon weight classes.
8. An independent ranking system that determined fighter matchups.
9. A “fighter board” to evaluate officials like referees and judges.
10. $2,000 per month for fighters on a medical suspension.

The PFA intends to sign 30% of UFC fighters to get a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election. Then 50% have to vote yes. This is dependent on the courts determining that UFC fighters are employees rather than independent contractors.

The PFA would neither confirm nor deny the document’s authenticity. Boris has said that he hopes to have a significant announcement by UFC 205 on Saturday.