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[mmawolverine]

this is good in so many ways, not just for individual fighters but for mma in general, zuffa taking responsibility to another level, i like it, im not so much worried about fighters that have contracts for more than 50k a fight this is about the the vast majority of fighters that make way less and only small sponsorships and auxiliary mma-related income,
but playing devils advocate hypothetrically a big company making friendly gestures could be a way to curtain the wave of interest in a fighters union, using WWE as an example there is not union for the "athletic performers" wrestling there is only the mirage of a wellness program created by the company

[trustkill]

Not to get too picky with Zuffa, but the announcement says full medical and dental coverage. I hope that includes eye coverage, because one of the first training injuries that comes to mind is Alan Belcher and his vision problems.

[Sakara=Excitement]

The UFC's New Insurance Policy, Conference Call Live Updates [Updated] - Bloody Elbow

[Update] Just finished the call. Here are the highlights:

Every fighter under contract with Zuffa is covered by the new policy. Covers fighters worldwide. A fighter does not need a scheduled fight to receive coverage.

The coverage includes $50,000 per fighter per year with premiums being paid for by Zuffa. No out-of-pocket expenses for fighters.

Lorenzo Fertitta refused to give a concrete number, but claimed that this is a "substantial" expense to the company.

Dana White and Fertitta both stated that this was something they've been working on since purchasing the company.

They thought they would announce the deal at Chuck's retirement, but it didn't work out. Started to look like a reality two or three months ago.

The policy covers all in-training and accidental injuries, but will not cover common cold, etc.

Zuffa general counsel Lawrence Epstein noted that they worked to get accidental coverage to avoid disputes between training and non-training injuries.

Feritta mentioned that they received a round of applause from fighters at the Strikeforce summit.

[Badluck33]

Over/under on how many times the UFC gets scammed before they address this issue again?

I think this would further cement the idea of Ken Shamrock never fighting in the UFC again.

[braddahmatt]

Originally Posted by trustkill

Not to get too picky with Zuffa, but the announcement says full medical and dental coverage. I hope that includes eye coverage, because one of the first training injuries that comes to mind is Alan Belcher and his vision problems.

I'm pretty sure eye coverage falls under full medical.... or else it wouldn't be full medical.

[the_dark_angel_4ever]

Originally Posted by Badluck33

Over/under on how many times the UFC gets scammed before they address this issue again?

I think this would further cement the idea of Ken Shamrock never fighting in the UFC again.

I really don't see this becoming an issue. Zuffa will cover medical bills of fighters but how would you take advantage of this? Fake/exaggerate an injury to have medical bills paid that keep you out of fighting? To me it doesn't make sense that you would want to fake an injury that prevents you from fighting and getting that BIG payday you count on.

[SwordofAres]

Good for them, this is a definite step in the right direction.

[Sakara=Excitement]

A closer look at the benefits of UFC's new accident-insurance policy for fighters | MMAjunkie.com

However, UFC general counsel Lawrence Epstein said the company that eventually agreed to work with Zuffa may have been swayed by a review of medical expenditures arising from injuries sustained during UFC events.

"It was surprising, I think, for the underwriters to see how frankly not serious they were," Epstein said today during a call discussing the UFC's new accident-insurance policy.

After two or three months of intensified negotiations, the UFC's parent company, Zuffa LLC, struck a deal with Houston Casualty Insurance Company, a Houston-based underwriter that's traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

The plan comes at a "substantial expense" to Zuffa for UFC and Strikeforce fighters, Fertitta said.

But what does the new deal mean for the fighters?

Everyone is covered under the new plan. That includes fighters under the Strikeforce banner, and those residing outside of the U.S. All told, Fertitta estimated the number of athletes to be at 400.

Zuffa pays 100 percent of the premiums for the policy. There are no monthly fees incurred by the fighter for participating in the plan.

A fighter's yearly maximum benefit is $50,000. Covered expenses include doctor's visits, lab tests, emergency room visits, physical therapy – anything related to an injury that may arise in the course of training or that would prohibit a fighter from competing (such as slipping and falling on ice while walking to his car).

The policy stays in effect regardless of whether a fighter has a booking. As long as the fighter is under contract with Zuffa, the benefits remain.

The policy does not cover routine medical visits.

Zuffa's supplemental insurance policy that covers athletes on fight night stays intact.
A full-time Zuffa employee is set to handle claims arising from the new policy. It's the same employee who handled claims arising from fight night.

There are no provisions in a Zuffa fighter's contract that prevent other activities associated with risk, though White said they are told to "use common sense." Epstein added that those provisions are typically seen in franchises with employees rather than independent contractors, as in the UFC.

Fertitta stressed that there are still plenty of administrative issues to be worked out as the policy takes effect on June 1. Fertitta and White joked that while Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard wouldn't be covered under the new plan – the two were injured nearly simultaneously and forced to withdraw from UFC 130 – they would be fine.

[SWIFTboy]

So what does this all mean?

Without jumping to conclusions before more details come out and we actually see hwo this works in practice, I'll tell you what I HOPE it means.

For years I've been chastising the UFC for making short term decisions which helped their immediate profits, over long term decision which would help grow the industry as a whole. This was one of the reasons I feared the UFC gaining a monopoly, because I didn't trust them to do right if they ever obtained full power. It is often said that the most effective form of government is a bonevolent dictator. Could it be that the UFC, with the purchase of Strikeforce, now feels secure enough in its position in the industry to look towards the long term?

Of course it is too early to say, and maybe I'm overreacting to this news, but this definitely looks like a step in the right direction. With this insurance fighters will be able to focus their lives and what they do best, fighting and training, without having to worry about outside factors. More importantly, it makes the sport of MMA as a career much more attractive. Top atheletes who are gifted enough to make it in whatever pro sport they choose now have more reason to go with MMA. Sure, it will cost the UFC a ton of money right now, but it's the type of thing that could help the sport reach a new level 10-15 years from now.

I really hope this is a sign of things to come for Zuffa and the sport of MMA.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Originally Posted by SWIFTboy

So what does this all mean?

Without jumping to conclusions before more details come out and we actually see hwo this works in practice, I'll tell you what I HOPE it means.

For years I've been chastising the UFC for making short term decisions which helped their immediate profits, over long term decision which would help grow the industry as a whole. This was one of the reasons I feared the UFC gaining a monopoly, because I didn't trust them to do right if they ever obtained full power. It is often said that the most effective form of government is a bonevolent dictator. Could it be that the UFC, with the purchase of Strikeforce, now feels secure enough in its position in the industry to look towards the long term?

Of course it is too early to say, and maybe I'm overreacting to this news, but this definitely looks like a step in the right direction. With this insurance fighters will be able to focus their lives and what they do best, fighting and training, without having to worry about outside factors. More importantly, it makes the sport of MMA as a career much more attractive. Top atheletes who are gifted enough to make it in whatever pro sport they choose now have more reason to go with MMA. Sure, it will cost the UFC a ton of money right now, but it's the type of thing that could help the sport reach a new level 10-15 years from now.

I really hope this is a sign of things to come for Zuffa and the sport of MMA.

Not to mention the money it would save the fighters just from paying for insurance month to month is they even have it. I know it's extremely expensive for them to have due to their job. Good stuff Zuffa, good stuff.