Reebok Claims No Responsibility for UFC Employment, Fighter Compensation

Reebok is feeling the backlash from the UFC’s recent firing of popular cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran.

Duran’s contract with the Las Vegas-based promotion was terminated after he told BloodyElbow.com that the Reebok deal would have a negative financial impact on cutmen as well as UFC fighters.

“I’m going to have to go back and read the article again, because I think all I said was when I was asked about what I thought of the new uniforms, I was honest,” Duran told Sherdog.com on Tuesday. “I told [the interviewer] that I had just done three shows in, like, four days and none of the fighters in the dressing rooms liked [the Reebok uniforms]. When I was asked about the cutmen, I told him we had to wear the Reebok gear and all they gave us was this generic jacket, but there was no compensation for us. We lost all of our sponsors. So, that created a firestorm.”

The news of his firing lead to outrage throughout the MMA community, and it seems that more than a few have directed their apparel toward the sports apparel giant that partners with the UFC.

In response, Reebok released a statement through Twitter on Wednesday claiming that it has “no input on decisions of UFC employment or fighter compensation.”

UFC fans: We have no input on decisions of UFC employment or fighter compensation. Our focus is providing the best gear for fighters & fans.

— Reebok (@Reebok) July 22, 2015