White: MMAAA advisor Rebney 'the biggest scumbag' in combat sports
UFC president Dana White is fine with his fighters looking to improve their financial situation.
Their choice of allies, however, is another story altogether.
Last week, a group of MMA stars, including welterweight legend Georges St-Pierre, former UFC champions Cain Velasquez and TJ Dillashaw, and contenders Tim Kennedy and Donald Cerrone, announced the formation of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA). The MMAAA has enlisted former Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney as an advisor.
White recently appeared on "UFC Unfiltered" to direct some harsh criticisms at his old rival, who he derisively refers to as "Bjork."
"Listen, I don't know enough about it to really speak on it," White said, according to MMA Fighting. "The only thing I need to know is the biggest scumbag in the history of combat sports - Bjork - is involved in this thing ...
"It's another business, it's a business where guys are going to make money. And if you're a fighter and this is what you want to do, you've got to figure out whose hand you want in your pocket. And I guarantee you, you don't want Bjork's hand in your pocket. You know what I mean?"
White took particular offense to Rebney's claims that the compensation he provided his athletes during his days running Bellator was far more fair than what the UFC offers its roster. The massive paydays received by Conor McGregor were brought up by White as an example of how much the UFC is willing to pay out and he questioned the accuracy of Rebney's figures.
"They're saying, 'You know, when I was a promoter, we paid 53 percent of the revenue.' Because there was no f---ing revenue!" White said. "Listen, if that's the way we're going to gauge this, back in the old days? Then I was paying 250 percent of the f---ing revenue. What a piece of s--- this guy is."
As for why Rebney would choose to be involved, White dismissed any perceived altruism by saying Rebney is simply unemployed and looking for a job. Rebney has faced his fair share of scrutiny as a promoter and White believes Rebney's history should speak for itself.
"Listen, if you're going to have a guy in your pocket, and you're a fighter, you might want to go out and ask some other fighters what their opinion is of this f---ing scumbag."