Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub is urging fellow fighters to come together and support Leslie Smith’s fighter unionization movement called Project Spearhead.
As reported by Bloody Elbow, Schaub said that fighters need to raise their voices and stand behind Smith’s campaign for any shot at unionization in the very near future. On his podcast, Schaub claims the problem with fighter union movements is that it seems none of the bigger-name, well-known fighters are behind them.
“That Project Spearhead, I hope it’s the one that breaks through and all the fighters get behind,” Schaub said. “Can you imagine if Conor (McGregor), Khabib (Nurmagomedov), Kevin Lee, [Daniel Cormier], [Demetrious Johnson], (Cris) Cyborg, Holly Holm, Rose (Namajunas) did this, imagine how many waves this would make? The problem is it’s Leslie Smith doing it, as sad as that is to say. I’m with her, and I’m down for the cause, and I hope it works out.
If Conor did this, the UFC would be [expletive] their pants. But if you’re Conor, you’re not mad at the payouts and the way it’s being ran because you have so much money. You’re basically a partner with them. Leslie Smith is not a partner.
Smith was scheduled to face Aspen Ladd at UFC Atlantic City last week, but Ladd missed weight. Smith chose to not fight, hoping it would lead to a contract extension. Instead, the UFC paid her her show money and a win bonus and opted to not renew Smith’s contract.
“What would you do if you ran the company? You’d probably get rid of her,” Schaub said. “It’s a form of bullying, but for whatever reason, our sport puts up with it.”
Original Story: Bloody Elbow
