THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Calling it unprecedented in combat sports, the UFC has announced plans to insure its fighters for accidental injury between bouts.
The mixed martial arts promoter currently carries insurance to cover injuries suffered during fights. The new plan, which kicks in June 1, will look after fighters who are hurt between bouts.
Previously fighters had been on their own if they were injured training for a bout. Not only did they miss out on the fight purse, they had to look after their own medical expenses.
"This is a big milestone in the company," said UFC president Dana White.
"It’s a big day not only for this company but for combat sports in general. It’s never been done … It’s a proud moment for us," he added.
All UFC and Strikeforce fighters under contract to parent company Zuffa, no matter where they are based, are eligible for medical coverage of up to US$50,000 a year.
Strikeforce and other fighters attending a Zuffa meeting Monday in Las Vegas applauded the news when they were told, UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta told a media conference call.
"Revolutionary," tweeted Tim Kennedy.
"That’s awesome!" echoed Shane Roller.
While the fighters are under contract to Zuffa, they are considered independent contractors. So they did not receive benefits other than help to cover injuries sustained fighting.
Some fighters may already have their own insurance or had access to coverage through family, but the new plan will no doubt benefit young up-and-comers.
Jon Fitch, now an elite welterweight contender, has acknowledged it took him a while before he was able to afford health insurance as a fighter. He washed dishes to help pay the rent and kept his bartender job until after his 2007 win over Diego Sanchez — his seventh fight in the UFC — because he was worried he could not afford medical bills if something bad happened.
"Awesome news about the health insurance," tweeted Fitch.
The new insurance will cover "any kind of accident that could prevent them from fighting and making their purse," said Fertitta.
That includes everything from a training injury to a fall on ice or a car accident.
It will supplement the existing fight-night coverage.
The UFC officials said the new plan was three years in the making.
"As you can imagine when you walk into an insurance company and say "Yeah, we want to get full coverage for 400 Ultimate Fighters, that includes all of their training and everything else in their life,’ they pretty much slam the door on you pretty quick," Fertitta said.
The plan became more palatable to insurers where it was customized to cover accidental injury with a cap on costs, he added.
"This plan doesn’t cover if somebody gets a cold and goes to the doctor, or something like that," Fertitta said.
Zuffa, the parent company that owns the UFC, will pay all premiums.
Fertitta declined to divulge the cost to the company, other than to say it’s "a substantial expense."
"We are stepping up in a major way, like no other fight promoter has ever done," he said.
UFC general counsel Lawrence Epstein said the $50,000 annual cap was chosen after looking at injuries sustained during fight cards and the medical claims that followed.
"Virtually all" were covered by the $50,000 figure.
"That’s how we arrived at that annual threshold," said Lawrence Epstein.
Coincidentally, the UFC announced the news the same day it said lightweight champion Frankie (The Answer) Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard had been forced to withdraw from their UFC 130 main event scheduled for May 28 due to injuries to both men.
