It appears the exodus of UFC stars to Viacom run Bellator isn’t upon us just yet, as two of the UFC’s biggest free agents have re-signed with the promotion, as it was announced today that both Aljamain Sterling and Alistair Overeem have signed new deals with the company.
With recent news of former UFC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson leaving the brand for rival promotion Bellator, it was safe to say there was a fair bit of interest in the movements of UFC stars reaching the end of their current deals. Bellator’s signing of Henderson showed a real intent to try and attract bigger name talent to their brand.
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Both Overeem and Sterling completed the agreed bouts on their UFC contracts in December, and announced their intentions to test the free market shortly after. Sterling, who is ranked #5 at Bantamweight and is currently undefeated with a record at 12-0, is regarded as one of the most interesting younger prospects in the sport, and so the UFC’s decision to let his contract expire was always questionable.
Sterling made it clear at the time that he felt underpaid ($20,000 show, $20,000 win) and under appreciated by the company.
“I want to have a bank account that represents me being a pro athlete,” Sterling said on MMAFighting’s MMA Hour. “At the end of the day, I want a bank account that has the backing of a pro athlete. Right now I’m just trying to look out for myself, look out for future.
“Financial stability is the most important thing for me. To be in the UFC and have the name but not the earnings, good for you, you get a hand clasp and a shake and a don’t let the door hit you on the way out sort of thing. I want to exit from this sport with my head intact.”
Clearly, the UFC dealt with Sterling’s complaints, as the 26 year old appeared again on The MMA Hour to discuss the decision to resign with the UFC, and his more “lucrative” deal.
“I’m 100% with my decision,” Sterling said. “I think I got a better deal for myself than I originally would have had.”
Feeling that he had improved on his standing in the game, and that his brand as a fighter has improved, Sterling felt a rise in pay was justified.
“I didn’t wanna go out there,” Sterling said. “And just take anything just because it was the offer that was initially on the table, because that’s why they call it renegotiations, you know? You renegotiate, and both sides should be happy.”
Despite other names in the race for his signature, Sterling eventually found the best offer to come in the form of staying right where he is. After all, there’s something to be said about fighting in the world’s premier MMA organisation.
“You can’t really put a value on the UFC name,” Sterling said. “That alone has value in itself. You go out there and say I fight for the UFC, people know exactly what that is. Ultimately, I think I made the right decision. I got some extra incentives in there. I’m happy with the decision I made.”
When it came to Overeem, however, things were much more simple.
The Heavyweight, who after knocking out Junior Dos Santos in decisive fashion back at UFC on Fox 17, wanted to test the market to find out his value. Names like Overeem, who has previously worked with Bellator president Scott Coker, are definite targets for other MMA promotions.
Clearly the UFC felt the same way, as today Overeem announce his decision to resign with the UFC on his Twitter, as well as mentioning the fact he’ll be main eventing the upcoming UFC card in his native country of Holland. Currently, an opponent has not yet been named, but if Overeem has his way it’ll be for gold.
Currently, the UFC Heavyweight division is in a bit of a mess, with both champion Fabricio Werdum and number one contender Cain Velasquez out with injuries. Overeem, who has long been searching for his title shot, having been pulled out of his only opportunity due to a failed drug test (back in 2012).
Regardless of the next step for both gentlemen, the UFC have managed to keep a talented duo, both for themselves and away from their competitors.
