MMA Athletes Association Officially Announced

WME-IMG could have a battle on their hands, as several heavy hitters have formed the MMA Athletes Association

On a heavily hyped press conference Wednesday, Bjorn Rebney, Donald Cerrone, Tim Kennedy, TJ Dillashaw, Cain Velasquez all announced the formation of association, the latest attempt to create one in the world of mixed martial arts.

Rebney specified that CAA (WME-IMG rivals) aren't backing the MMAAA venture, but they're supporting the athletes, because that's their job as a talent agency. The former Bellator owner says UFC owners WME-IMG should have flown all of the fighters in and apologized in regards to how they were treated. Rebney also condemned UFC owners for their greed, as they pay themselves a management fee. He noted the most successful year was when he paid the athletes 53 percent of revenue. Rebney said he thinks they can get that done soon if WME-IMG want to go that route.

Rebney also stated this isn't a union, because that is a slow process. Instead, they're an association, as UFC fighters are independent contractors, and even teased the idea of a potential labor strike.

Fightful will have full audio of the call later.