"He was very disrespectful" - When ex-UFC mainstay Burt Watson revealed how top executive orchestrated his overnight exit from promotion

Burt Watson set the MMA community abuzz by naming the executive who allegedly caused his abrupt UFC departure. Watson's remarks, which came in 2024, elicited an outpour of support.

Deemed 'The Babysitter to the Stars' by UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Watson is known for his iconic catchphrase, 'We rollin'!' He served as a UFC on-site/event coordinator for around 14 years.

Watson quit the organization after a reported incident related to the UFC 184 event's weigh-ins back in Feb. 2015. He later spoke about it to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour in 2015. Watson explained that he loved the UFC fighters and wanted to clear the air regarding some rumors about him having had a fallout with a fighter(s).

On his 75th birthday in July 2024, Watson appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. Watson revisited the UFC 184 weigh-in night and recalled that UFC middleweight Mark Munoz, whom he's often praised, couldn't make weight on the first attempt.

Munoz received additional time from the CSAC (California State Athletic Commission) and ultimately made weight but needed transportation to return to the fighter hotel. Apparently, Watson arranged it, then had a few drinks, and relaxed in his hotel room.

Watson indicated that Mike Mersch (aka Michael Mersch) -- the UFC's then-senior vice president of business, legal, and government affairs -- called him. He alleged that Mersch spoke disrespectfully and continued despite Watson urging him to stop.

The combat sports personality, who previously managed boxing legend Joe Frazier, recalled eventually lambasting Mersch over the phone. The next day, he seemingly gauged that Mersch complained to then-UFC president (now-UFC CEO and president) Dana White. Watson believes Mersch painted it as though he'd bad-mouthed him (Mersch), the UFC, and quit the organization.

Watson noted that he went home and no one from the UFC reached out to hear his side. He stated:

"Now, at the time, the UFC had this young man who was a sponsorship manager, from a legal standpoint, when they were just starting to let guys wear patches, and now they can't because they've got a certain sponsor that everybody wears. So, and that young man was not a very nice person."

He added:

"You know? Mike Mersch was not a very nice person. He was very disrespectful to some people when he spoke to them. And I knew; that's why I tried to keep people away from him."

Check out Watson's comments below (15:19-24:09):

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Burt Watson's post-UFC success

Mike Mersch's eight-year UFC stint ended in April 2015. Mersch was later named COO (Chief Operating Officer) for the WSOF MMA organization, before moving on to his own consultation/legal company. Meanwhile, Burt Watson's success story continued. Speaking to Helwani in July, Watson highlighted that he worked with Bellator MMA for three years.

Watch Bellator's documentary on Burt Watson below:

Watson released his book, 'Being Burt Watson' in 2024. He further asserted that he prefers driving, rather than flying, to partake in combat sports events at this point in life. Watson even spoke about walking fighters out to the dohyo at the World Championship Sumo. Alluding to the various combat sports contests and fighters he's helped coordinate, he noted:

"Since 1985, I've done 403 fights. I've walked 8,069 fighters to the ring, the cage, the octagon, and the dohyo." [25:50]