Couture: Fighters need rights - there will be a fight

http://espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/1342/couture-zuffa-fighters-can-have-meeting-of-minds

There’s going to be a battle,” Couture told ESPN.com. “I’d rather sit down with the UFC, [president] Dana White and [CEO] Lorenzo Fertitta and figure out a way to implement some things with their blessing.” 


According to Couture, fighters are still being deprived of a few fundamental rights, which if rectified would only help the legitimacy of the sport. 


“Health insurance for fighters when they’re not competing is a huge issue,” Couture said. “There are a few fighters who could call up the UFC and say, ‘Look, I need some help, I blew out my knee in practice,’ and the UFC is going to help them. They’ve been generous but they can’t do that with everyone. There are over 200 fighters. 


“How about a retirement plan of some sort? Or at least educate these guys on how to take care of their money. How many MMA stars, five or six years from now, are going to be broke and destitute? We’ve seen that in boxing, and it’s a shame. An absolute shame.” 


Couture has had his own grievances with the UFC during a 14-year professional fighting career, but said he doesn’t blame Zuffa for the fighters’ issues still present in the sport, nor does he necessarily look at the formation of a fighters union as an end-all, be-all solution. 

I couldn't help but to think about the CBA in the NFL right now.  Those are huge issues and they need to be rectified somehow; especially the Health Insurance.

Yeah.. I missed this thread somehow.  This topic is very important.. Liddel will realize that in about 10 years when things start going fuzzy.  I read that Terry Bradshaw is being replaced on his show as an NFL analysist b/c he is having trouble now concentrating... things like this could easily pop up within the next decade as the sport is huge right now (MMA).  Something needs to be done now to protect the fighters now and, imo, more importantly the fighters who are retiring now.