Morning Report | Israel Adesanya reacts to Conor Benn big payday: ‘I want $15 million for one fight, too’

Add one other to the rising record of UFC fighters having a tough time reckoning with the big paychecks in Zuffa Boxing.

Earlier this 12 months, Dana White had the primary large headline from Zuffa Boxing, when he signed Conor Benn away from Matchroom Boxing, for a reported one-fight take care of a $15 million contract. It’s a considerably greater contract that nearly anybody within the UFC has, which, in fact, has drawn some light reaction from several big name fighters. And now, former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya joins the combination.

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Speaking on his YouTube channelOn Wednesday, Adesanya commented in regards to the UFC’s new broadcast take care of Paramount, and the way that could be affecting Dana White and firm when it comes to Zuffa Boxing.

“Hey man, this whole Paramount thing is something,” Adesanya mentioned. “It’s something. But at the moment, we’re playing the cards we’re dealt with.”

“I think the UFC, they enjoy what they do. After a few years, like anything, sometimes you need a little something else to spice it up, so now they’ve got Zuffa Boxing for themselves. …

“[Dana White] clocked this game. They have the NFL, the NBA of combat sports. So now, he’s like, ‘F*ck it, I’m going to go do the same thing in boxing.’ And already the signs they’ve had is crazy. Conor Benn, Jai Opetaia fighting this weekend, as well. Crazy.

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“I know what you mean when you talk about the venom, or the way he’s — that’s what he lives for. He fights for the challenge. So, this isn’t challenging, I guess, enough for him anymore.”

White has faced increasing criticism over the years for his focus on the UFC as he continues to add other sports promotions to his portfolio, including Powerslap, UFC BJJ, and now Zuffa Boxing. And now, with the newest addition making such a splashy signing, it seems that Adesanya does have some feelings about that.

“I understand,” Adesanya mentioned. “We know these guys are prime class boxers. They’re the most effective on this planet at what they do, however so are we. This is the UFC. And if one man can command that type of cash for one battle, and that is from the identical firm, Zuffa, and that is what’s been conserving the lights on is the UFC. This is what we love. We love Ultimate Fighting, not Limited Fighting.

“So, I don’t feel jaded, but I’m like, I want $15 million for one fight, too!”

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Unfortunately, that is not on deck for Adesanya, no less than not subsequent. Instead, “The Last Stylebender” takes on Joe Pyfer in the primary occasion of UFC Seattle on March 28.

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