Joseph Duffy Opting to Test Free Agency Instead of Taking Proposed UFC Deal

– Joseph Duffy recently spoke with mmajunkie.com about turning down a new contract with the UFC. Duffy (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is set to face Reza Madadi (14-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) in London on March 18 at UFC Fight Night 107, and once that fight is complete, he will be a free agent…

“I was speaking to Graham [his manager] back and forth. Obviously, beforehand, we came up with what we were after and Graham was in talks with them. To be honest, there wasn’t too much talking or negotiating in it. They said what they were offering, we said no, but that was really it, to tell you the truth. The only way you can look at it is that it’s just business. You can’t let your emotions get involved with any of that stuff. They’ve got their plans, I’ve got mine and, hopefully, we can meet in the middle and get something sorted.”

Anyone who is in this sport are aspiring to be in UFC. For a time, it was the only organization that held any prestige. Fighters didn’t care about how much money they were making because that’s where you had to be to go to the top of your sport. Because there wasn’t too much money at the start, for us, it was enough just to be the best in your field. When you look around and see other fighters starting to make a stand, it makes a big difference. I’ve seen the way other fighters have been treated, and there’s been a bit of a change.”