The UFC finally returns to action this week, and with it comes all the trappings of a normal big event fight week, including fallout from comments made by fighters.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Justin Gaethje faces Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title in the main event of UFC 324. Earlier this week, Gaethje spoke with reporters at Media Day where he revealed that despite the new TV rights deal with Paramount worth $7.7 billion, he is not making any more money than he was before. Gaethje\u2019s comments fly directly in the face of previous statements from Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, who said that the UFC is giving more money to fighters<\/a> in the wake of Pay-Per-View no longer being a thing. And speaking with Cormier during Fight Week, Gaethje got to air out his grievances to DC directly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re out here saying everybody\u2019s getting paid more and you\u2019re f*cking lying!\u201d Gaethje said in a clip posted to Cormier\u2019s YouTube channel<\/a>. \u201cWhy would you say that? Why would you talk out of your ass when you have no idea what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI actually know,\u201d Cormier replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you know that I\u2019m getting paid more than I would have if this deal didn\u2019t happen?\u201d Gaethje asked, rhetorically.<\/p>\n \u201cI never said everybody,\u201d Cormier responded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou said everybody!\u201d Gaethje interjected. \u201cYou said, every, single guy will be getting paid more!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I said the fighters \u2014 are you kidding me?\u201d Cormier asked. \u201cYou\u2019re going to do this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re gonna throw us under the bus and make us look stupid!\u201d Gaethje insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t not throw you under the bus,\u201d Cormier replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not getting paid more, why would you say that?\u201d Gaethje again interjected. \u201cYou might be getting paid more! And I hope you are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t get paid nothing,\u201d Cormier said, slyly. \u201cI do this for free. I do this to help you. I love you so I do this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee, that\u2019s how you lie to the people,\u201d Gaethje concluded. \u201cJust like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Cormier and Gaethje are friends, and the entire back-and-forth was mostly good-natured, those tempers did flare at points. And it is perhaps all a big misunderstanding. UFC CEO Dana White recently responded to the situation, declaring that the promotion attempted to update Gaethje\u2019s current deal, but that he and his team never responded<\/a>.<\/p>\n Warning. Justin Gaethje defends Dustin Poirier from Paddy Pimblett\u2019s criticism, vows \u2018I\u2019m going to dog walk this English f*ck.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Business. Dana White responds to Justin Gaethje\u2019s pay dispute ahead of UFC 324: \u2018Gaethje was offered more money.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n White House. Derrick Lewis eyes \u2018one in a lifetime\u2019<\/a> UFC White House spot, feels he\u2019ll earn title shot with UFC 324 win.<\/p>\n Oscars. \u2018The Smashing Machine\u2019 earns single Oscar nomination<\/a>, Dwayne Johnson shut out.<\/p>\n Turnaround. \u2018That ain\u2019t happening\u2019<\/a>: Arnold Allen scoffs at making quick turnaround for UFC London after UFC 324.<\/p>\n Congress. Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act advances to Congress<\/a> after adapting new amendments.<\/p>\n Israel Adesanya breaks down UFC 324.<\/p>\n SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE<\/p>\n Arman is in his posting era.<\/p>\n There\u2019s something different about Paulo Costa\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cBut why male models?\u201d \u2014 Derek Zoolander<\/p>\n After 6 long weeks, the UFC is finally back. Can\u2019t wait for tomorrow. Let\u2019s kick this year off right.<\/p>\n If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n