Morning Report: Joe Rogan talks Reebok deal, doesn't like to 'see fighters suffering financially'

Fighter response to the reward tiers of the UFC's upcoming uniform deal with Reebok hasn't been overtly positive.

Ranging from, 'Well, it's more than I made working construction,' to open flirting with Bellator CEO Scott Coker, the concern from the athletes has been recognized by UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

In December, Reebok signed a six-year, $70 million agreement to be 'the exclusive worldwide outfitter of the UFC.'

While the UFC released statements hoping to quell the unruly, Rogan isn't happy with the sight of fighters complaining of lost income due the Reebok deal.

"This is a big deal now in MMA that Reebok is the official sponsor for the UFC," Rogan said speaking with Bellator middleweight Joe Schilling on his podcast. "Fighters can't have independent sponsors when they walk into the cage now and financially it seems to be a huge disaster for the fighters."

Rather than determine sponsorship payouts by questionable rankings, UFC will doll out athletes' stipends based on how many Zuffa fights they've competed in.

"Whenever you see these guys complaining and talking about the difference in the amount of pay that they're getting, that's not good," said Rogan. "It's not good. All that stuff had to be worked out, should have been worked out in advance. It's great to have a big sponsor like Reebok involved, but not if the fighters have to suffer."

Rogan brought up the example of UFC heavyweight Brendon Schaub, who claimed he would stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars under the promotion's tiered sponsor system.

"Brendan Schaub said that he would be getting 10 grand, but every single[sic] fight that he had before this he was getting six figures, so at least $100,000. It could mean as much as $900,000, for every fight. Six figures for every fight and now he's making 10 grand. That's a big hit."

Fighters who have between one and five fights in the UFC will make just $2,500 per fight under the tiered system. Fighters with six to 10 UFC bouts will make $5,000; 11 to 15 will get fighters $10,000; 16 to 20 fights earns $15,000; and 21 bouts and up gets a fighter $20,000. Title challengers will make $30,000 and champions will pull in $40,000.

"Even the champs get 40 grand," said Rogan. "The champs. The best guys in the world get 40 grand. That doesn't seem like enough to me. That just doesn't.

"Look, I'm not a businessman. I'd be the sh****est businessman in the world. If I owned the UFC, the UFC would probably be filing for bankruptcy right now. I would never have gotten it to where it is. I would never have done any of the smart moves these guys have done. I'm an idiot when it comes to business, but I just don't like when I see fighters suffering financially. I don't like it. At all.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Cleveland down under. Chuck Mindenhall explains why Stipe Miocic is the contender the heavyweight division has been waiting for. 'If the locals were booing him, it meant he was executing his game plan perfectly.'

It is what it is and you can't change it now. UFC exec Tom Wright believes Miocic vs. Hunt 'probably could have been stopped sooner.'

Cowboy up. UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos says Donald Cerrone is next in line for a title shot with a win at UFC 187.

"I looked in his eyes just to tell him, 'I will kick your ass.'" Renan Barao says UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw is 'not a champion -- he's a joker.'

#PerfectTan. The UFC wasn't happy about Sam Alvey's sponsor being spray tanned into his chest for his fight. 'We tried to do something to remove it. It was unremovable.'

MEDIA STEW

Stipe Miocic's Octagon interview.

Gracie Breakdown of Metamoris 6.

Highlights from RFA vs. Legacy FC.

Mike Swick's UFC 189 vlog.

Al Iaquinta learning how to wrassle.

Free Fight: Frankie Edgar vs. Cub Swanson.

Long watches.

Fight Night Adelaide: Post-fight Press Conference

...

Fight Night Adelaide: Q&A with Alistair Overeem, Jessica Eye, and Michael Chiesa

...

TWEETS

Victory lap.

(I will not spend my morning twitter searching "Stipe Sucks") (Yes I will)

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) May 10, 2015

Im so overwhelmed! Thanks to everyone for all your support throughout I couldn't have done it with... https://t.co/pIKbJ0JPqN

— Robert Whittaker (@RJWhittaker1990) May 10, 2015

It's good to be @realOCsports right now. Congrats on another UFC victory pic.twitter.com/pWF5jYJEHo

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) May 10, 2015

@danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc Thank you so much for last night! This is the greatest day of my life! #blessed

— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) May 10, 2015

What a day! Thanks @danawhite pic.twitter.com/QUlLfHvuXA

— Dan The Hangman (@danthehangman) May 10, 2015

Thank you team https://t.co/8Q7nUFSYKH

— Kyle Nasty Noke (@KyleNoke) May 10, 2015

RT @SubmissionAus: WATCH: @smilensam calls out @EliasTheodorou , #perfecttan and Reebok Deal! : http://t.co/2TJ9Nv15SD #UFC #UFCAdelaide

— Sam Alvey (@smilensam) May 10, 2015

Dat betadine face doe #rachetbitch #UFCAdelaide #alliancemma #lamalillaaustralia #lamalillanopara pic.twitter.com/LblcVGvMrP

— 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) May 11, 2015

@dylanthevillian cheers dude you a tough mutha!!! Hope your eye heals up!!

— Bradley Scott (@Bradleyscott89) May 10, 2015

Wow POTN bonus ☺ Thank you @danawhite @ufc #UFCAdelaide

— Alex Chambers (@alexchambersmma) May 10, 2015

Had a blast in the Octagon yesterday, slinging some heavy leather, and receiving some back. Came away... https://t.co/465DjELW76

— Badger O'Reilly (@OReillyMMA) May 11, 2015

Many emotions right now. So happy to have made a good impression in my debut. Amazing to have the support I have behind me, so grateful.

— Ben 10 Nguyen (@Ben10MMA) May 10, 2015

Better luck next time.

The old warhorse got beaten up sorry was to tired big mistake to be tired wen u facing the top end congrats stipe... http://t.co/VlaZXRJHZa

— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) May 10, 2015

Thank you all for the very kind words! It wasn't my night tonight. Congrats to mr Whittaker! I'll be back even better,You guys are the best!

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) May 10, 2015

It wasn't my day today. Congrats to my opponent @realOCsports today. Thanks to everyone for their support. #UFCAdelaide

— Anthony Perosh (@AnthonyPerosh) May 10, 2015

Thank you so much #Adelaide @ufc fans for hospitality @BadBoy @aliveacademy for support and Mr. @danthehangman and @seanshelby for match!

— Hatsu Hioki (@hatsu_hioki) May 10, 2015

Hey @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby what's next??? I'll take any fight any time. That's a promise. #UFC @UFCNews @UFC_AUSNZ

— Jonavin Webb (@jonavinwebb) May 10, 2015

Nice talking to fans of @ufc You guys are what's keeps this sport going and growing

— Lisa Ellis (@LisaEllis115) May 11, 2015

Hey family, friends, fans i didn't get the result i wanted but your support means the world i will be back, love you all

— Dylan Andrews (@dylanthevillian) May 10, 2015

& thank you all for the kind words. I see you all, and appreciate the support it really means a lot

— KailinCurran (@KailinCurran) May 10, 2015

No win for me tonight, no real loss either. Hats off to @OReillyMMA tonight. Tough mother..Fought hard but came up short. $50k bonus???@ufc

— Vik Grujic (@VikGrujic) May 10, 2015

Yesterday I didn't wanna even think about fighting now today all I wanna do is fight I can't wait to get back in there #Pissed

— Terrion Flash Ware (@flashmma) May 10, 2015

Beef.

@SaintMMA shush backyard jobber

— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) May 10, 2015

First off Sam, no touching of the hair or face #Zoolander2 2nd, whatever day we trade fists, shall forever be known as "kick a ginger day."

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) May 10, 2015

Haha full of myself? @smilensam u beat a 40 yr old man, Mr glass jaw & lost to TOM WATSON in amateur hour - check yourself @MatthewCohn13

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) May 10, 2015

@smilensam @MatthewCohn13 And there are 5 perfect blue prints to beat you...I have 12 wins. No Losses. Quality vs Quantity

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) May 10, 2015

@TomKongWatson Ill talk slow...so you understand. You beat him w basics. He is amateur, while youre just nosey. Ps Leave hair out of this

— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) May 10, 2015

"@EliasTheodorou: @TomKongWatson Ill talk slow...so you understand. You beat him..." I'm reading but we can call it talking if you wish bozo

— Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) May 10, 2015

Pedi ele mas não me deram, Melvin guillard http://t.co/2uTh9Hk54j

— Patricky Freire (@PatrickyPitbull) May 11, 2015

Great matches.

Is @JoshLBarnett the greatest Catch Wrestler of all time? I know he won't admit it, but bitch, he might be. Congrats to The War-master!

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) May 10, 2015

Big congrats to @dillondanis... Caught me in a Darce. Good guy w/ great BJJ. I got out healthy... We've got Gomi July 25th! #Metamoris6 #UFC

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) May 10, 2015

Props to @onemoreround on the win yesterday. He was the better grappler and earned the win. I hope... https://t.co/WEZwLC9zAF

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) May 11, 2015

Still making more money.

I wonderl what the poor people in Virginia are doing right now

— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) May 10, 2015

Damn.

The way I'm looking at @BellatorMMA and @ScottCoker for ignoring me about fighting in Chicago #iknowyouhearme lol pic.twitter.com/gMvZyCdo2S

— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) May 11, 2015

Like that fur coat Champ. Making moves, hang tight. #Yeezy https://t.co/DUUPORmejU

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) May 11, 2015

Happy holidays.

Happy Mother's Day with a little humor lol ;-) pic.twitter.com/lxaJCIvb2e

— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) May 10, 2015

Old footage of Nick Diaz hatting spinning s**t.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (May 8-10 2015)

Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders at UFC on FOX 16

Benji Radach vs. Ben Reiter at Bellator 137

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.