What is the Ali Act and why should you care?

The Muhammad Ali Reform Act

It’s about time people speak up about fighter rights in the sport of MMA

Back in the 90s, to protect the interests of the boxers and to ensure that fair and just practices are carried out by the promoters, the Ali Act was introduced, which came into effect in 2000. With the lack of leagues or regulatory commissions, the Ali Act was put forward to address the main concerns of the fighters, with the main points being:

1. Finding an alternative to the long term contracts the boxers are bound to
2. Finding a method to put forward credible ranking procedures
3. Inconsistent procedures, and the lack of oversight by state regulations
4. Need for a federal mechanism/intervention to prevent hidden agreements
5. Coercive methods to force the fighters to give “options” in exchange for a title fight

One of the main arguments against the Ali Act being implemented in MMA has been that both the sports are different. There are tons of opinion pieces online which either support or denounce the application of the Act. However, Fedor’s reasons for refusing to sign with UFC throws light on just how important a reform act is in the world of MMA.

“The contract that we were presented with by the UFC was simply impossible, couldn’t be signed–I couldn’t leave. If I won, I had to fight up to eight times in two years. If I lost one fight, then the UFC had the right to rip up the contract.

At the conclusion of the contract, if I am undefeated, then it automatically extends for an as yet unspecified time, though for the same compensation.”

“Basically, I can’t leave undefeated. I can’t give interviews, appear in films or advertising. I don’t have the right to do anything without the UFC’s agreement. I could do nothing without the OK from the UFC. I didn’t have the right to compete in combat sambo competition. It’s my national sport. It’s the Russian sport, which in his time our president competed in, and I no longer have the right to do so.”

“There were many such clauses; the contract was 18 pages in length. It was written in such a way that I had absolutely no rights while the UFC could at any moment, if something didn’t suit them, tear up the agreement. We worked with lawyers who told us it was patently impossible to sign such document.”