MMA is a cut throat business – certain gyms tying up with the organizations to promote their fighters have arrangements that would substantially favor their fighters, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
One of the main hindrances is the lack of proper governance, whether it is in the United States or India. Regulatory commissions more often than not don’t have a real say, while many countries, including India don’t have a regulatory commission in place.
Unlike cricket or football, MMA isn’t overseen by a commission which has the best interests of the fighters. Fighter union is frowned upon, while talk of an association is met with snigger and disgust.
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Putting the labor protection for the fighters, their “independent contractor” status and its implications and other major problems aside, there is one glaring problem – the fighters’ pay. The average career span of these athletes is less than 15 years, and unlike others, they do not have the luxury of taking up a different job.
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Most of the fighters suffer from post-concussive syndrome and permanent brain damage. There are no guarantees, and as one fighter recently put it, she can’t fight because she has no money for her training camp
