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MMA fighters for Bernie?
On Sunday, Sanders met in North Las Vegas with two MMA stars, Jon Fitch and Wanderlei Silva, to discuss legislation to end what they call the exploitation of fighters by event promoters like UFC. “We are professional athletes but we are laborers too,” Fitch said in a statement to MSNBC. “The Muhammad Ali Act to MMA is necessary to balance the scales between promoter and mixed martial artist and to restore integrity to the sport.”
The fighters want the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000 extended to apply to their sport. The legislation prohibits the same company or individual from being an events promoter, sanctioning body, and manager all at once, which the MMA Fighters Association says can lead to fight rigging and corruption.
While they may not support Sanders’ presidential bid at the moment, Fitch and Silva left with the impression that Sanders had studied up on their issue and will support them. “With Senator Sanders’ support, we are one step closer to seeing it become a reality,” said Silva.
Alleged exploitation of MMA fighters has become a major issue for the UFC, with the most powerful union in Nevada recently announcing plans to try to organize the company’s fighters.
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mma-fighters-bernie?cid=sm_fb_msnbc
The fighters want the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000 extended to apply to their sport. The legislation prohibits the same company or individual from being an events promoter, sanctioning body, and manager all at once, which the MMA Fighters Association says can lead to fight rigging and corruption.
While they may not support Sanders’ presidential bid at the moment, Fitch and Silva left with the impression that Sanders had studied up on their issue and will support them. “With Senator Sanders’ support, we are one step closer to seeing it become a reality,” said Silva.
Alleged exploitation of MMA fighters has become a major issue for the UFC, with the most powerful union in Nevada recently announcing plans to try to organize the company’s fighters.
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/mma-fighters-bernie?cid=sm_fb_msnbc
It seems like Bernie is on top of every labor issue during his campaign.
