Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight Vitor Belfort is speaking out against the UFC’s sponsorship deal with apparel company Reebok.
In a recent interview with Brazilian TV program “Sensei SporTV,” Belfort said that the deal -- which prevents fighters from wearing sponsored fight gear inside the Octagon -- makes competing for the UFC something akin to slavery.
“Nowadays, MMA is much more entertainment than sport. I’m not satisfied with the way the organization is handling its part of the sponsorship,” said Belfort. “We are practically living in slavery. We can’t use our sponsors; they’re banned inside the Octagon.