Dana White hints at health benefits for fighters

UFC President Dana White hints fighters could finally receive long term health health benefits in a recent Q&A on Instagram. Currently there are no MMA promotions that offer their fighters full-time health benefits.

Unexpectedly on Monday, White engaged with fans on a post by UFC anchor Karyn Bryant which asked ”If you could ask Dana White a question, what would it be?”. As fans poured their questions in, one fan caught the eyes of White in particular as he asked: “Will the UFC ever offer their fighters full-time health benefits so they can have them after their careers are over and possibly deal with life-altering issues from fighting?”

Despite the response being a simple “soon” this is still promising news for athletes. Dana hasn’t spoken on health benefits for a long time and it’s seemed the topic has been swept under the carpet to a certain extent. Currently the UFC only offers medical benefits to those fighters who are active on the roster. Those benefits will cover the athletes for any in-cage and training related injuries, however the promotion only added training cover back in 2011.

Whilst athletes eagerly await news on any benefit upgrades, Head of the CSAC (California State Athletic Commission) Andy Foster stated in early May that they were looking at expanding its already established boxer pension fund into the sport of MMA. This process however has been said it could take anywhere between 2-3 years.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Should long term health benefits be a necessity for fighters when employed by a promotion? Voice your opinion in the comments section below!