Dominick Cruz, former Bantamweight champion, used his speech after the UFC 259 victory to call for a charity match with Hans Molenkamp, a business development representative of Monster Energy energy company.
Cruz's challenge received a lot of attention from the media, because Molenkamp was the one who played the association between MMA sport and Monster sponsor for more than a decade.
“Looking at my face, looking at my body,” Cruz pointed to the bruises on his face after the battle with Casey Kenney.
“I was hit by a bruising just to earn money. He tried to force me, text me that if I didn't comment on his page, if I didn't accept the interview with him, he would cut my sponsorship. Is anyone wondering if he was doing what he was doing? I received his sponsor from Monster, not Hans.
After Dominick Cruz made a challenge, Hans Molenkamp's phone number was locked. The representative of Monster Energy responded that they would “consider all such allegations seriously”. UFC President Dana White supported Cruz's statement and a number of other boxers who conflict with Molenkamp, but said he still liked “peaceful”, and everything depends on Monster's decision.
“Is Hans a fool? Yes, he is a very stupid guy,” White said. “But Monster is still the sponsor. They are great sponsors and they pay for fighters a lot of money.”
“Receiving money from a sponsor is a privilege. So, if you don't like the way they do business, how they make images, nor should it affect their business.”