On Wednesday, legendary former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, ex-Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, and a group of four other fighters announced the formation of the MMA Athletes Association -- the latest effort to unite past and present UFC athletes under one banner in the fight to even the balance of power between the UFC and its fighters.
In a two-hour conference call, St-Pierre, alongside fellow board members Donald Cerrone, Tim Kennedy, Cain Velasquez, and T.J. Dillashaw, called upon UFC athletes to no longer be afraid of the UFC, and to join the MMAAA's fight and reach out with any questions they may have. Check out reactions to the big announcement below, including plenty of interest from active members of the UFC roster.
Making History https://t.co/T3k92W1QbF
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) November 30, 2016
This is the beginning. Hundreds of fighters have been waiting for the right team to get behind. This is it! Feel empowered and contact me. https://t.co/QoJ3WmdYyB
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 30, 2016
Today we are proud to announce the official launch of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association. #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/NBp5rbmkR1
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 30, 2016
The FIGHTERS are 100% in control of this. The board which Bjorn is NOT on will make all decisions. https://t.co/SxZfJ8RLCz
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 30, 2016
The Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association is here. #MMAMovement pic.twitter.com/U1alwC0uWm
— The MMAAA (@Themmaaa) November 30, 2016
This sounds too good to be true. I'd break down and cry if I had any emotion left for this game. @TimKennedyMMA @Cowboycerrone
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) November 30, 2016
@Cowboycerrone @TimKennedyMMA would love to speak with you guys soon to iron out through some details and answer some questions I may have.
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) November 30, 2016
Standing up for what's right! Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association #Repost… https://t.co/sEGaqCEmWx
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) November 30, 2016
— Thiago Alves. (@ThiagoAlvesATT) November 30, 2016
@TimKennedyMMA looking forward to hear more about it bud. Great move!
— Thiago Alves. (@ThiagoAlvesATT) November 30, 2016
Long over do. https://t.co/U3kGyk5MP7
— Will Brooks (@ILLWAVYBrooks) November 30, 2016
It all sounded good but not enough substance. #loudnoises
— Will Brooks (@ILLWAVYBrooks) November 30, 2016
@ILLWAVYBrooks this is perfect. They probably don't have it all figured out. But we have the opportunity to ask ?s
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) November 30, 2016
I definitely get that I just wish there's was something more that's all. Felt like something was missing. https://t.co/j8wNFQc4Pg
— Will Brooks (@ILLWAVYBrooks) November 30, 2016
didn't say exactly what they're going to do.That's ok. Too many factors.I'll ask questions.Let's talk as we find out more @ILLWAVYBrooks https://t.co/QNSsXAqfSq
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) November 30, 2016
I'm 100% down !! Sign me up and send me the info. Lets see what we can get done #UFC #mma https://t.co/cHGFRuYrrq
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) November 30, 2016
For sure.... all the guys on that panel deserve every fighters respect. Regardless of what comes from it. #UFC #MMA https://t.co/eZncW6ZRJr
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) November 30, 2016
It's fucking ridiculous is what is!! Glad fighters are starting to think about each other. Rising tide raises all ships!! #UFC #MMA https://t.co/yrperMDUwp
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) November 30, 2016
Mumaaa! https://t.co/V3YpnwrPqb https://t.co/3tssiwQ7qJ
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) November 30, 2016
I'm with it ... RT @Themmaaa: The Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association is here. #MMAMovement pic.twitter.com/g2fy9jwNaJ
— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) November 30, 2016
If your not listening to this announcement about the future of Mma, you need to tune in.
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) November 30, 2016
We must all become educated and I'll do whatever it takes to do that. https://t.co/WOb1VlxdkF
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) November 30, 2016
Proud of the fighters that stood up today. That's a good sign. But bjorn rebney? You guys have lost your minds.
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) November 30, 2016
Again, I think all fighters getting paid more and benefits etc is great. But until someone shows me a plan ... https://t.co/P2SqO3eycY
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) November 30, 2016
Great news! @TimKennedyMMA I'm in! https://t.co/4BBT1B8aTV
— Jocelyn J Lybarger (@mmajocelyn) November 30, 2016
@TimKennedyMMA follow back so I can DM you please. :)
— Jocelyn J Lybarger (@mmajocelyn) November 30, 2016
good stuff https://t.co/9DxCBwnSz0
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) November 30, 2016
Here... we... go! https://t.co/xGraZnsQDN
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) November 30, 2016
Anything that benefits fighters and fighter health is good. I am watching, reading and absorbing info before making any comments. https://t.co/xO5LBuHmx9
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) November 30, 2016
@TimKennedyMMA I have questions contact me.
— tim means (@MeansTim) November 30, 2016
I'm listening in on THE conference call right now, fighters in support of each other and their rights is awesome. @TimKennedyMMA
— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) November 30, 2016
A female presence on the MMAAA board will be a big display of looking for representation and representatives of all UFC fighters #yesImeanme
— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) November 30, 2016
Yep sure can be ⚒ https://t.co/c8Tc3JTIrg
— Mark Coleman (@HammerHouseMMA) November 30, 2016
Great group of fighters there to start this movement. As long as ya'll can handle getting periodically cussed out by Bjorn this has a shot https://t.co/BTB0WNMjt6
— Stephan Bonnar (@StephanBonnar) November 30, 2016
I'll only believe Rebney's intentions are good if he doesn't get anything out of this other than righting all the wrongs he committed. #no$$
— Shannon Knapp (@shanknapp) November 30, 2016
Things I am thinking:
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) November 30, 2016
(1) I like and respect the fighters on the board, but hope for a more diverse representation in the future.
(2) I don't trust Bjorn yet, given his past dealings as a promoter
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) November 30, 2016
(3) They need to include Bellator fighters at some point in future proceedings
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) November 30, 2016
(4) I know no one gives a shit what I think, but these are brave and sincere men and I hope for the best outcome for their efforts.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) November 30, 2016