Georges St. Pierre, Four Other UFC Stars Join Forces to Launch MMA Athletes Association

Former welterweight king Georges St. Pierre is joining forces with four other UFC stars to launch the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) in hopes of securing better treatment for both past and present UFC fighters. The formation of the MMAAA was announced during a conference call on Wednesday. St. Pierre, Donald Cerrone, Tim Kennedy, Cain Velasquez and T.J. Dillashaw will serve as the five-man board for the association. Meanwhile, ex-Bellator MMA CEO Bjorn Rebney will fill the role of advisor.

Today we are proud to announce the official launch of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association. #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/NBp5rbmkR1

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 30, 2016 “Every time we go fight, we’re afraid. This is a different kind of fight. Even though I know a lot of fighters are afraid, because of my situation I’m in a much better place than I was a few years ago. I know fighters are afraid, but it’s time to step up and do the right thing,” St. Pierre said. “It’s like a fight in the Octagon, but it’s a fight against what is right and what is wrong. We should never be afraid to stand for what is right.” According to Rebney, the MMAAA is focused on three main goals: to collect a “substantial” settlement to compensate past and present UFC fighters; to increase fighter revenue sharing from eight percent to 50 percent; and to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement similar to what athletes in other major sports receive. The association will strictly focus on athletes in the UFC will not include fighters in other promotions such as Bellator or World Series of Fighting. “This is my focus,” Rebney said when asked if he had any plans to return to the fight promotion business. “We’ve been working on this for over two years…MMA has been pretty good to me. It’s not …

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