Mac Danzig to Forgo UFC on Fox 9 Sponsorships in Statement Against Uninvested Advertisers

While many competitors have their gripes about trying to obtain sponsors for their fights, Mac Danzig is of the opposite frame of mind.

In an attempt to make a statement about companies that he said don’t care about fighters, Danzig will forgo sponsorships for his fight at UFC on Fox 9.

“I’m doing everything on my own, and I’m making this statement with this fight, and I’m not having any sponsors other than my gym.” Danzig said at the pre-fight press conference. “That’s more of a personal thing, over the years just tired of being a billboard for some of these companies that don’t really have a vested interest in the individual fighter.”

Danzig admitted that some might consider it “silly to blow off money,” but added that the income is not his chief concern. The fighter, who also said that he handles his MMA dealings without the use of a manager, said competing in the UFC is the bigger picture. Being part of the world’s leading MMA promotion is No.1 in Danzig’s book.

“They’re just about slapping a logo on your butt and sending you on your way,” Danzig said of companies looking to buy sponsorships. “I’m not going to play that game this time. We’ll see next time, but I just wanted to do things on my own this time. Maybe it’s silly to blow off money, but at the same time I’m happy to be part of the UFC. That’s the main thing, other than supporting someone who doesn’t really care about me.”

Danzig is scheduled to fight Joe Lauzon at UFC on Fox 9, which will take place at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif. The two were originally part of the evening’s undercard, but several injuries to other fighters and card shuffling bumped their bout to the main broadcast on Fox.

Danzig said the move to the main card is a great chance to showcase his skills, but it’s mostly inconsequential. Instead, it’s all about the moment, no matter where on the card one fights.

“It doesn’t really matter to me,” he said. “Just fighting in the UFC alone, whether it’s the first fight of a prelim on a smaller show or whether it’s the main event of a pay-per-view, it doesn’t really matter. It’s just about the fight itself and the moment itself.”