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Sabah Homasi, a seasoned MMA fighter, has been vocal about his ongoing battle with Bellator over unpaid medical bills following a significant injury. After fracturing his orbital bone during a fight in Ireland, Homasi found himself caught in a frustrating situation. “I fractured my orbital. Went from the venue to the hospital so they knew everything that was wrong,” Homasi told MMA Mania in April. Despite Bellator being aware of the injury, Homasi is still waiting for them to cover his medical expenses.
The issue became even more convoluted when Bellator asked him to postpone surgery. “They asked me if I was going to do surgery in Ireland, and I said, ‘No. I’m going to fly home and do surgery with my doctors back home,’” Homasi explained. However, Bellator later called his doctor and requested a delay in the operation by two or three weeks, a request Homasi refused. “I said, ‘Absolutely not. I have to go and operate.’”
Now, months later, Homasi has taken to social media to call out Bellator and other fight promotions, stating: “Any fighters that got caught up in the PFL/Bellator merger that have not been reimbursed for surgeries and hospitalization from a fight or is it just me?”
This situation raises a critical question in the world of MMA: should fight promotions be responsible for covering fighters’ medical bills?
The Reality of Fighter Compensation and Medical Expenses
For many fighters, the risks of competing in MMA extend beyond the cage. The grueling nature of the sport means that injuries are almost inevitable, yet the support systems in place to help fighters manage these injuries often fall short. Promotions like Bellator and the UFC typically cover fighters’ medical costs related to fight injuries, but the process can be murky, inconsistent, and, as Homasi’s case illustrates, frustratingly slow.
Injuries like orbital fractures, torn ligaments, and concussions can require immediate and specialized medical attention. The cost of these surgeries can be astronomical, especially for fighters who are not among the top earners. Medical bills, rehabilitation, and lost training time can severely impact a fighter's career and livelihood.
While promotions are generally expected to cover fight-related injuries, the policies vary, and fighters are often left in limbo, waiting for approvals, reimbursements, or even basic communication from promotions. This delay can be detrimental not only to their health but also to their ability to compete and continue earning a living.
Should Promotions Be Fully Responsible?
The question of whether fight promotions should bear the full responsibility for medical expenses is complicated. On one hand, fighters sign contracts with promotions that often include some form of medical coverage for injuries sustained in the ring. In theory, this coverage should be automatic and comprehensive, ensuring that fighters receive prompt care without worrying about costs.
On the other hand, the promotions operate as businesses, and as such, they may be incentivized to minimize costs where possible. Homasi’s case highlights a gray area in which the promotion may attempt to negotiate or delay payments to save money, even if it comes at the expense of a fighter’s health.
In the larger context of fighter treatment, this raises concerns about how much support fighters can truly expect from the organizations they compete for. Shouldn’t fighters, who put their bodies on the line for the entertainment and profit of the promotion, be guaranteed immediate and full medical coverage?
A Call for Change
Homasi’s situation is not an isolated incident. Many fighters across various promotions have spoken out about delays and inconsistencies in receiving medical care or compensation. As the sport continues to grow, it’s imperative that fighter welfare is prioritized. Promotions like Bellator and the UFC should consider revising their policies to ensure that fighters receive timely medical treatment without bureaucratic roadblocks.
Ultimately, the health and safety of fighters should be the top priority. Fighters like Homasi, who risk serious injury for the sake of competition, deserve to have their medical expenses covered promptly and fully by the promotions they fight for. Without this support, fighters are left vulnerable to the financial and physical consequences of a sport that already demands so much from them.
Sabah Homasi’s ongoing battle for his medical bills is a reminder that the MMA world still has a long way to go in ensuring fighter welfare. Promotions have a responsibility to take care of their athletes, especially when those athletes are injured while competing under their banner. Fighters shouldn’t have to fight for medical coverage—it's time for promotions to step up and ensure that they provide comprehensive and immediate medical support for all their athletes.
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