Tim Kennedy (pictured) backs off his recent stance that UFC doesn’t pay very well. Photo by Esther Lin

Following his comments in which he said he can make more money emptying trash cans than fighting in the UFC, middleweight fighter Tim Kennedy has apologized.

The UFC 162 participant relayed a statement on Thursday, naming UFC President Dana White, Zuffa Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta and UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, adding that it is “an honor and a privilege” to fight for the organization.

Here’s the full statement via his Facebook page:

“I recently made comments regarding fighter pay. The intent of these statements was to highlight that professional fighters incur significant expense associated with their preparations to fight and that fighter compensation is still not on par with other major sports. While I am fortunate to have various revenue streams associated with my business interests, most fighters do not have that luxury. When you spend training camps with great guys with amazing talents and you see them barely making ends meet, while simultaneously seeing athletes in other sports with far less character and a far smaller work ethic making exponentially more, you can get frustrated.

“Unfortunately, I made statements that alluded to how the UFC in particular pays its athletes. This was particularly offensive as Zuffa has taken better care of me than any other organization, even giving me a bonus for being amusing on Twitter. My choice of words was poor, not properly informed, and did not match my intent. Additionally, my comments were taken out of context. I can tell you that I have been fighting longer than most people and I remember all too well the days when there was no regulation or standard for an MMA promotion. I fought many times in Mexico where the rules were negligible, there were no physicals, and being paid was a luxury we didn’t expect. Our sport was shunned and was considered “human cockfighting”. Today, we are on Fox. We have doctors and insurance. We make more money than the average American. And we get these things by playing a sport we love. The only reason this is possible is because of Zuffa. They have legitimized the sport and taken better care of the athletes than any other organization, and the trend is only improving, with athletes making three times what they made on average five years ago.

“My comments were hurtful and inappropriate. I accept full responsibility for the statements and apologize to the UFC, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertita, & Joe Silva as well as anyone I might have offended with my comments. Fighting for the UFC is an honor and a privilege. I look forward to putting this situation behind me and focusing on my upcoming fight with Roger Gracie.”

What do you think of Kennedy’s apology? Genuine or scripted? Let us know in the comments section.

Tim Kennedy (pictured) says he’d make more money emptying trash cans than fighting in the UFC. Photo credit unknown.

It’s no secret that MMA fighters don’t make a whole lot of money in comparison to other professional sports. Many of them, like UFC 162’s Tim Kennedy, have other jobs to hold them over while enduring training sessions and fight camps.

But more and more, fighters are coming forward and expressing their frustrations with the UFC, saying that the MMA promotion is underpaying them.

Kennedy was interviewed on a recent podcast, wherein he explained that being a garbage man is more lucrative than fighting for the world leader for MMA.

UFC President Dana White is probably less than excited about what Kennedy had to say. Here’s the transcription:

“It’s pathetic that so many fighters [have to have other jobs] … It’s a good thing I have another job because the UFC doesn’t pay very well. Anybody who accepts [fighters being overpaid] as a reality of the sport is sad and pathetic. I hope this isn’t the reality of the sport. If it is, I should probably go do something else, like empty trash cans. I’d make more money than I do now.”

*Anticipates Dana White’s reaction*

UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman
July 6, 2013
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

Main Card (Pay-Per-View):
Anderson Silva (33-4) vs. Chris Weidman (9-0)
Frankie Edgar (15-4-1) vs. Charles Oliveira (16-3)
Tim Kennedy (15-4) vs. Roger Gracie (6-1)
Cub Swanson (19-5) vs. Dennis Siver (21-8)
Mark Munoz (12-3) vs. Tim Boetsch (16-5)

Preliminary Card (FX):
Chris Leben (22-9) vs. Andrew Craig (8-1)
Norman Parke (17-2) vs. Kazuki Tokudome (12-3-1)
Edson Barboza (11-1) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (15-5)

Preliminary Card (Facebook):
Gabriel Gonzaga (14-7) vs. Dave Herman (21-5)
Seth Baczynski (17-7) vs. Brian Melancon (6-2)
Mike Pierce (16-5) vs. David Mitchell (12-2)