James Vick grabs bull by horns after UFC 211, gets new contract meeting with Dana White

James Vick was upset he didn’t get a performance bonus for knocking out Marco Polo Reyes at UFC 211. So he took his complaint directly to UFC brass.

Vick (11-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) texted UFC President Dana White a sad emoticon after not getting a post-fight bonus. He then tracked down a UFC PR official at the American Airlines Center.

His pressing question: What can I do to take my career to the next level?

“I’m about to be a household name,” Vick told MMAjunkie Radio with a chuckle on Tuesday, three days after his knockout of Reyes (7-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC “I spoke to the UFC’s new PR lady in the back for probably a good 30 minutes after the fight, and she was very receptive with everything I had to say.

“I’m flying to the fighter’s retreat this weekend, and I’m going to sit down with them. She’s going to put me in front of a lot of the (WME-IMG) people and see if they have some good ideas for me. So I’m excited about that, and she already told me she’s going to fly me out to a couple of events and let me do some appearances.”

After messaging White, Vick got an assurance he would get a little extra something. He also set up a meeting in Las Vegas to discuss a new contract.

If the UFC responds as promised and Vick gets what he wants, he certainly spoke up at the right time. He thinks a step up is long overdue, and it’s hard to argue with him.

Following his time on “The Ultimate Fighter 15,” Vick has put together a 7-1 record in the octagon. In his past two outings, Vick has stopped opponents in spectacular style. Yet a first-round guillotine of Jake Matthews remains his only $50,000 bump from the promotion.

“I don’t understand what the hell I have to do to get a bonus,” Vick said. “That’s definitely favoritism. I really don’t get it. But I’m not worried about it.”

Not if the UFC comes through, of course. If the promotion decides to shine some sunlight on his career, things can turn around quick.

Vick promises to make it worth the promotion’s while by winning a title.

“I know things are about to get pumping for me after this weekend,” he said.

For complete coverage of UFC 211, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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