Demetrious Johnson calls UFC 'hypocrites' over Michael Page exit: 'They say one thing and do the opposite'

Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has labeled the UFC "hypocrites" over how it treats winning fighters. Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, as reported by MMA Junkie on Thursday, October 15, Johnson pointed to the departure of Michael "Venom" Page, who left the promotion with a 5-1 record and joined Misfits Boxing.

Johnson, who holds the UFC record of 11 consecutive title defenses and later won ONE Championship gold, argued that the UFC's stated goal of having the best fighters on its roster does not match its decisions.

"Me winning a fight means I get to stay"

Johnson took aim at UFC CEO Dana White's past comments about wanting elite talent while dismissing some winners as not exciting enough.

"We've heard Dana White say it before: 'We want the best of the best talents on the roster,' and then he says they're not exciting," Johnson said. "In a sport where you have the best fighters fighting and they're not exciting, you do not get rid of them because it's a sport. If they keep on winning, then they get to stay. Me winning a fight means I get to stay ... In the UFC if you keep winning, they can get rid of you if you're not a draw, or they can think of getting rid of your division."

He added: "They're hypocrites. They say one thing and do the totally opposite. I just want the UFC to try to be straightforward and honest about the product they're trying to sell. Don't tell me that you're going to have the best athletes on the roster when you're going to let the best athletes go. I rather have the UFC say, 'We couldn't afford him. We're happy Michael 'Venom' Page is making more money at Misfits Boxing.'"

Sport or entertainment?

Johnson said the UFC chooses fighters based on who draws viewers rather than on results, which he believes separates it from a true sport.

"When you look at a sport, the person who is winning should get paid the best and should have the opportunity to stay," he said. "With Michael Page leaving, he's making more money at Misfits than in the UFC. I would love to know how much he's getting paid at Misfits, and how much money he got paid in the UFC. When it's entertainment, the UFC is going to pick and choose who's going to bring eyeballs, who's going to put butts in seats, and what's going to fit their narrative in making the best fight, which is completely different than a sport."

The context

Johnson's comments come during a run of criticism of UFC business practices. MMA Junkie noted that his remarks followed both Page's exit and Sean Strickland's recent complaints about fighter pay.

• Michael Page went 5-1 in the UFC and was on a four-fight winning streak, but he was not offered a new contract, according to BJPenn.com.
• Page has said his Misfits deal pays him double what he earned in the UFC. BJPenn.com reported that he claims seven figures per fight on a three-fight deal. No debut opponent or date has been announced.
• Dana White said at the time that Page's release was a decision made by the matchmakers, Heavy reported.
• The UFC has also parted ways with unbeaten bantamweight Farid Basharat, who was 7-0 in the Octagon. Heavy reported that White has not yet commented on that release.

The UFC has not responded publicly to Johnson's comments.