This isn’t a career, this is not a career. This is an opportunity”- Dana White to fighters

Top welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has been in a public dispute with the UFC for the past few weeks. Masvidal claims the UFC is trying to “lowball” him. Jorge was expected to fight Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title.

Following contract negotiations, a deal was not made. Jorge decided to sit on the sidelines until the UFC renegotiated his contract. The UFC moved on and gave the title shot to No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns.

UFC President, Dana White, has stated in interviews that Jorge is already on a new contract and will not renegotiate. Recently, Dana made comments at the pre-fight press conference that didn’t sit well with Masvidal.

When you’re a professional athlete, you have a very small window of opportunity. A very limited amount of time. You know?”.

Dana addressed the media ahead of the UFC’s Fight Night, White shed light on the lives of professional athletes. He stated, “When you’re a professional athlete, you have a very small window of opportunity. A very limited amount of time. You know?”

“We get into this money shit and stuff that’s going on right now, everybody acts like this is a f**king career. This isn’t a career, this is not a career. This is an opportunity.”

Masvidal quickly responded.

“He’s my co-worker,” Masvidal said. “It’s not like I’m going to go hang out with him anywhere anytime soon or anything like that. I don’t have no animosity toward him. But I also don’t really like him too much either because he has to do his job, which is to generate the most money for his company. I’ve got to do my job, which is to generate the most money for me and myself. So you see where that clashes?

“You know? We’re not going to always see eye-to-eye. I don’t think he’s like a devil or this evil (expletive) person. I just think he’s doing his job. I’ve got to do mine.”

However, White’s recent comments about fighting in the UFC not being a “career” but instead an “opportunity” seems to have struck a nerve with Masvidal.

“I just want to address something with the Dana White thing,” Masvidal said, circling back around to the topic of White, without being asked. “Dana White said (this) the other day in the news and maybe he could explain this. He said this is not a career. It’s an opportunity. I’ve been doing this 16 years. (Expletive), I’ve had a lot of opportunity, huh? That’s crazy.

“So it’s not a career, Dana White? That’s interesting to know, man. I just really think sometimes we don’t see eye-to-eye on anything you (expletive) say, bro. How is this not a career? It’s crazy.”

Many fighters are currently in contract disputes with the UFC. Fighters such as UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones, Henry Cejudo, and Jorge Masvidal have taken a stand against the UFC.

Will more fighter stay sidelined due to pay?  What are your thoughts on Dana’s comments and fighter’s pay?