Overview
- Forty pages of WhatsApp exchanges from a Brazilian civil case between former UFC contender Taila Santos and ex-manager Marcelo Brigadeiro were made public through discovery.
- The messages capture negotiations with UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, including a 2020 offer for Su Mudaerji of a new four-fight deal at $23,000 to show and $23,000 to win, increasing by $3,000 per victory.
- When Brigadeiro asked about higher pay, Maynard suggested Mudaerji could fight out his contract and indicated he might switch the fighter to a tougher opponent before revisiting terms.
- The chats also reference comparisons to Song Yadong’s reported pay, with Maynard arguing the fighters’ résumés and rankings were not comparable at the time.
- Media analysis and online reaction have intensified scrutiny of UFC negotiation practices, while Brigadeiro says a court ruled in his favor and plans an appeal for a larger award as Santos denies wrongdoing and calls her past contract abusive.