Since destroying Forrest Griffin at UFC 101, Anderson Silva has let it be known that he would like to abandon his UFC middleweight belt ostensibly because he desires a greater challenge that only the light heavyweight division can provide. What if that isn’t the only reason?
It’s been well documented that Zuffa contracts are laiden with numerous clauses designed to protect the company’s interest. One such clause is reserved for champions and stipulates the following:
“if, at the expiration of the Term, Fighter is then UFC champion, the Term shall be automatically extended for a period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the Termination Date; or (ii) the date on which Fighter has participated in three (3) bouts promoted by ZUFFA following the Termination Date (”Extension Term”). Any references to the Term herein shall be deemed to include a reference to the Extension Term, where applicable.”
Taking into consideration the timing of Anderson Silva’s request - specifically the fact that he desires a boxing fight with Roy Jones Jr. and that Silva only has a few fights left on his contract - might he really be trying to avoid the UFC’s champions clause that would prolong his career for a substantial period of time?
Payout Perspective:
This situation obviously has many prospective stakeholders, and, for the most part, their positions are obvious. The UFC will likely seek to extend Silva’s contract as a condition of letting him abandon his middleweight belt. Silva may or may not be trying to leave the organization, but, regardless, a move to the light heavyweight division is probably necessary from a competition standpoint. The fans will likely side with the UFC in this instance; few people have the desire to see Anderson box Roy Jones Jr, but many do have the desire to see him continue to destroy lives at 205lbs.
However, perhaps the most interesting position here is that of Ed Soares’ - Silva’s manager. If Silva and Soares are actually seeking to leave the UFC in favour of a boxing match, it might jeopardize Soares’ good relationship with the UFC. By virtue of that it may also jeopardize the standing of his other MMA clients that currently call the UFC home. Lest we forget the way relationships soured between the UFC and most AKA fighters as the result of the video game debacle.
I’ll also note that another contract clause of the UFC’s may come into play here - exclusivity. The UFC reserves the right to an exclusive negotiating period of 60 days following completion of the last fight on a contract. The organization also reserves the right to match any over for a period of one year following the last contracted bout. However, it remains to be seen what effect the UFC’s exclusivity clause would have on post-contract negotiating periods if/when Silva decides he wants to participate in a boxing fight (and not an MMA fight).
Keep an eye on this one.
It’s been well documented that Zuffa contracts are laiden with numerous clauses designed to protect the company’s interest. One such clause is reserved for champions and stipulates the following:
“if, at the expiration of the Term, Fighter is then UFC champion, the Term shall be automatically extended for a period commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the earlier of (i) one (1) year from the Termination Date; or (ii) the date on which Fighter has participated in three (3) bouts promoted by ZUFFA following the Termination Date (”Extension Term”). Any references to the Term herein shall be deemed to include a reference to the Extension Term, where applicable.”
Taking into consideration the timing of Anderson Silva’s request - specifically the fact that he desires a boxing fight with Roy Jones Jr. and that Silva only has a few fights left on his contract - might he really be trying to avoid the UFC’s champions clause that would prolong his career for a substantial period of time?
Payout Perspective:
This situation obviously has many prospective stakeholders, and, for the most part, their positions are obvious. The UFC will likely seek to extend Silva’s contract as a condition of letting him abandon his middleweight belt. Silva may or may not be trying to leave the organization, but, regardless, a move to the light heavyweight division is probably necessary from a competition standpoint. The fans will likely side with the UFC in this instance; few people have the desire to see Anderson box Roy Jones Jr, but many do have the desire to see him continue to destroy lives at 205lbs.
However, perhaps the most interesting position here is that of Ed Soares’ - Silva’s manager. If Silva and Soares are actually seeking to leave the UFC in favour of a boxing match, it might jeopardize Soares’ good relationship with the UFC. By virtue of that it may also jeopardize the standing of his other MMA clients that currently call the UFC home. Lest we forget the way relationships soured between the UFC and most AKA fighters as the result of the video game debacle.
I’ll also note that another contract clause of the UFC’s may come into play here - exclusivity. The UFC reserves the right to an exclusive negotiating period of 60 days following completion of the last fight on a contract. The organization also reserves the right to match any over for a period of one year following the last contracted bout. However, it remains to be seen what effect the UFC’s exclusivity clause would have on post-contract negotiating periods if/when Silva decides he wants to participate in a boxing fight (and not an MMA fight).
Keep an eye on this one.
