For a man who was hardly ever seen, Jacob “Stitch” Duran’s job as a cutman in the UFC was invaluable. Imagine competing in the Octagon for the very first time and having your face ripped open by a hard elbow.
Duran was the man you depended on to patch you up. He was the guy who kept you from looking like a permanently disfigured Edward Scissorhands. Without a competent cutman, fighters risk serious injury, and fights are more likely to be stopped by a doctor.
Duran is often credited with being the best in the business, not only at sealing cuts, but he was also spectacular at wrapping hands. Ask any fighter how vital proper hand-wrapping is before a bout. Duran dedicated his career to building relationships and becoming a safety net for fighters in the UFC.
But that all came to an end on Tuesday.
According to Duran, he was released from the UFC after speaking out against the promotion’s deal with Reebok.
@daej81 You will be the first to know that the UFC just let me go because I spoke out about the Reebok deal. Got to look for a new job!
— Jacob Stitch Duran (@StitchDuran) July 21, 2015
The news was confirmed by MMAJunkie’s John Morgan through an anonymous source close to the situation.
Duran has been active on Twitter recently in regards to the new Reebok deal preventing him from earning money from sponsors at events. Sponsors paid Duran to put their company logo on the back of his vest, which was vividly displayed for the world to see while he tended to fighters.
However, the multi-year deal with Reebok makes the sports apparel company the exclusive UFC sponsor. As of July 11, fighters and ring personnel are strictly prohibited from wearing any outside sponsors during fight week.
With the loss of his sponsors, Duran publicly voiced serious concerns about his financial future working as a cutman for the UFC. During an interview with BloodyElbow’s John Nash, he contemplated returning to boxing:
I really love working the MMA circuit. I really love working with the fighters and the UFC, but I also have a family to support. So do I start focusing more on seminars? Do I start giving my business card more to boxers?
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole called the decision to fire Duran a “mistake” and a “gross overreaction.” MMAFighting’s Chuck Mindenhall called the move “cold.” Fighters showered Duran with support after hearing the news on Twitter.
???????? @stitchduran ?????? https://t.co/reml8CgGUO pic.twitter.com/5YR0TRHbGo
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) July 22, 2015
@StitchDuran it was always a honor sharing the cage with you God bless you and your family. #willbemissed
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) July 22, 2015
Soooo we the fighters are assed out because @StitchDuran spoke his mind? Smfh when one door closes another opens. Much respect to you Stitch
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) July 22, 2015
Sooo disappointed to hear about @StitchDuran !! He's the man and was my go to guy. Wrapped me for all my championship fights!
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 22, 2015
Thats messed up, having an opinion now gets you fired. He should of blamed it on the coco so he could keep his... http://t.co/REgdVlmTPR
— Miguel Angel Torres (@MiguelTorresMMA) July 22, 2015
@ColbyCovMMA @timsylviamma @MMAFighting making a deal with Reebok is a business decision, firing a guy for expressing his opinion isn't
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) July 22, 2015
Hey @StitchDuran THANK YOU for not being afraid to speak the TRUTH. And THANKS for helping to keep ME in my fights. @UFC AND @Reebok yikes.
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) July 22, 2015
How about some of the @UFC FIGHTERS speaking FOR @StitchDuran? Oh, that's right. You'll all keep quiet until it's YOU. @MMAFA
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) July 22, 2015
@StitchDuran sad to see you go brother. My favourite hand wrapper !!!
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) July 21, 2015
Gotta say @StitchDuran was top 3 nicest ppl I met during my @ufc tenure. He'll find success wherever he goes. Ps his book was great.
— Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) July 22, 2015
There is only one man I want wrapping my hands and handling my corner in the @ufc That is @StitchDuran best cut-man in the business.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 22, 2015
Damn I can't believe it @StitchDuran were family vato, aqui estamos para lo que sea....
— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) July 22, 2015
So sad 2 see this happen. @StitchDuran is a great and proud man & I love him to death. He's the best of the best https://t.co/pQBO2K9L00
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) July 22, 2015
So it's freedom of speech in America but not in the @ufc fucking criminals @StitchDuran u will be missed we had some great times
— Tim Sylvia (@timsylviamma) July 22, 2015
FREE STITCH
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 22, 2015
Unfortunate someone can get fired for having an opinion.
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) July 22, 2015
When contacted about the situation, per Morgan, the UFC “declined to comment on Duran’s employment status or any potential conflicts.”
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also is the MMA writer for FanRag Sports and co-founder of The MMA Bros.
