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The controversy fueled apparel deal between the UFC and Reebok continues to receive bad press.

In the latest chapter veteran cut-man Jacob ‘Stitch’ Duran, a regular fixture at UFC shows since 2001, has been fired by the promotion for highlighting the negative effect on his income resulting from the Reebok deal.

The MMA world has reacted hugely in favour of ‘Stitch’, who developed a tremendous cult following over his 14 years spent in UFC fighter corners as an independent contractor. Not exclusive to MMA, Duran is noted as being the world’s leading cut-man and is regularly drafted in by heavyweight champion boxer Wladimir Klitschko among others.

The UFC’s deal with Reebok has seen all fighters stripped of the right to wear sponsors during fight week and fight night with Reebok now providing all fighter apparel as a sponsor of the UFC. Many have taken exception to this as the financial compensation does not match that of the fighters’ original sponsors and thus their additional income takes a hit with further debate already surrounding the questionable fighter purses.

But the Reebok deal goes beyond fighters. In a recent interview with BloodyElbow.com, Duran highlighted how he could no longer front his own collection of sponsors while working UFC corners and calmly explained that he would be out of pocket.

Duran later revealed that he was let go by the UFC as a result of the interview:

Stich

It’s clear that the UFC will not tolerate criticism from anyone they consider to be expendable, but firing Duran over politely worded comments has only brought a greater spotlight to the debate.

While the UFC may be the biggest and most powerful promotion in Mixed Martial Arts, it seems they’re no match for a much loved personality. Prior to the MMA world issuing support for ‘Stitch’, UFC “hype man” and back-room organizer Burt Watson, another renowned veteran of the fight business, walked out on the promotion earlier this year after a confrontation with an unnamed “person of authority”, and the plaudits rained in.