Demetrious Johnson Calls the UFC ‘Hypocrites’ Over Recent Cuts
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Demetrious Johnson has taken a hard line against the UFC, labeling the promotion “hypocrites” after a wave of recent roster cuts. In the past month, the organization released Michael Page, who had a 5‑1 record in the UFC, and Farid Basharat, who remained undefeated at 7‑0 inside the Octagon. UFC president Dana White offered a brief explanation for Page’s departure, noting it was a matchmaker decision, but he has yet to comment on Basharat’s exit.
Johnson argues that the cuts are driven by a preference for finishers over fighters who often go the distance. “We’ve heard Dana White say it before: ‘We want the best of the best talents on the roster,’ and then he says they’re not exciting,” he said on his YouTube channel. “In a sport where you have the best fighters fighting and they’re not exciting, you do not get rid of them because it’s a sport. If they keep on winning, then they get to stay.” He added that the UFC can “get rid of you if you’re not a draw, or they can think of getting rid of your division,” calling this hypocrisy.
Johnson also challenged the UFC’s claim of being one of North America’s biggest sporting leagues. He pointed out that letting top performers go for reasons unrelated to performance undermines the sport’s integrity. “When you look at a sport, the person who is winning should get paid the best and should have the opportunity to stay,” he said. He noted that Page has reportedly earned more in Misfits Boxing than he did in the UFC, and questioned how much the promotion is willing to pay for talent that does not fit their entertainment narrative.
The former champion’s comments have sparked debate among fighters and fans about the balance between athletic merit and commercial considerations in the UFC’s roster decisions.
Source: Demetrious Johnson Calls the UFC ‘Hypocrites’ Over Recent Cuts
