Joshua Burkman: UFC-Reebok Deal ‘Cleans Up’ MMA, ‘Makes It More Professional’

The one-year anniversary of the UFC’s official implementation of the Reebok-sponsored outfitting policy is fast approaching, and at least lately, the outcry regarding the deal seems to have subsided. Of course, the second half of 2015 brought enough bad reviews and embarrassing miscues to last a lifetime for the much-maligned partnership. A little bit of peace and quiet on the sponsorship front is probably welcome, both for the promotion and the apparel company.Joshua Burkman, for one, thinks the long-term ramifications of the deal will benefit all involved. While many fighters have lamented the sponsorship dollars that they have lost in the past year, “The People’s Warrior” believes the outfitting policy will allow him to focus on what really matters: the fights. “My situation is a little different than most fighters. I say that because I manage myself and I have for the majority of my career,” Burkman said during an appearance on the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “There are things about that that I really like. I have a really good relationship with [UFC President] Dana White. I have a good relationship with [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva. I can call them up and ask them questions and have conversations at any time. The same with sponsors. I really enjoyed going out and getting sponsors and building those relationships. A lot those relationships I still have and I still work with them. “The thing I like about the Reebok deal for the UFC is I feel like it cleaned up a lot of that for me where I can focus on the fight now, and I’m not out trying to get sponsors and logos for my clothes.” Burkman will face Paul Felder in a featured bout at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The evening’s main card airs on Fox …

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