USADA, the UFC’s anti-doping watch dogs, recently revealed that they are considering a new policy on tracking fighters’ whereabouts. In the new policy, fighters would be tracked in real time through an application on their phones. Normally, fighters are required to periodically report to the agency with their whereabouts. UFC’s Leslie Smith recently took to social media to show her distaste for the news.
Here is what she had to say:
“What’s your response if your job said they were going to track you 24/7 with your phone? Same as mine? In my journey to educate and advocate for the UFC fighter’s union I hear some arguments for keeping the independant contractor status.
“I would rather be an independant contractor with no boss except for myself if it was possible but right now it’s the pits of them both – we don’t get benefits or federal protection as employees because we are ICs but we’re treated as employees by being regulated in our uniforms, not allowed to seek out other contracts for our fighting skill set and under supervision at all times through the USADA program.
“And now they want to make the USADA program into the type of tracker app a parent gets for their 10 year old. If we don’t fight for employee status to get benefits and most importantly a seat at the table to discuss and participate in decisions like this then it’s not going to stop.
“The rules and regulations will not end and the fighters will never be given their due for acquiesing. It’s time to stop being spectators to the process and get a seat at the table. Did any other fighters notice this? Post about this? Get pissed about this? Are we children that we should be tracked at all times? Or am I not in line with other people in my frustration and indignation at this? Is is reasonable for a contracted job to track you at all times? @lkmiddleb3 @tharagin1”
