Michael McDonald’s Been Absent Because The UFC Doesn’t Pay Him Enough

UFC bantamweight fighter Michael McDonald hasn’t fought since 2013, where he lost to Urijah Faber via guillotine choke in the second round.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, McDonald talked about his long layoff and said that he isn’t really interested in fighting for the UFC if they’re going to keep paying him what he’s been getting paid.

He doesn’t feel like he’s getting his fair shake when it comes to fighter pay:

“If the UFC wants me to fight these great guys like Faber, it’s not like I’m looking to play hardball. But yeah, I wouldn’t want to fight him with the pay I’m getting now. So, maybe it turns into a contract renegotiation. Maybe it’s, ‘Let’s hold off and not take this fight right now.’ Maybe it’s, ‘Well, can we get a little more guaranteed money for this fight but keep the same contract?” I don’t know what it’s exactly going to be, but I have to be taken care of.”