Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson called out by MMA fighters over UFC shoe deal

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's shoe deal with the UFC isn't going down well with the fighters themselves.

A bunch of big-name stars on the roster have called out the Hollywood megastar, some simply because they hate the designs, while others aren't happy for a deeper reason.

According to Combat Sports Law, fighters will receive a total of zero dollars from The Rock's new footwear sponsorship with the UFC, despite being contractually obliged to wear the shoes during ceremonial weigh-ins and octagon walk-outs.

With no cut in the revenue from the lucrative deal, this - understandably so - has left some athletes fuming.

WWE legend-turned-actor Dwayne Johnson is the face of the Under Armour-owned 'Project Rock' brand and he has found himself squarely in the firing line.

“Hey brotha @TheRock if you’re a fan of what we do make the deal favourable for the ones modelling your shoe,” UFC lightweight Terence McKinney tweeted.

“I get it’s not your fault or your business doin it to us, but show us the love you think you are. Get in our corner and support us.”

In his announcement, The Rock said the partnership is “anchored in hard work and legacy”.

Rather ironic seeing as though the fighters, the ones who make the walk in the bright red shoes, aren't being paid for it.

But it seems McKinney isn't the only mixed martial artist who isn't a fan of the shoes themselves.

Ahead of his final fight with the promotion at UFC 279, MMA royalty Nate Diaz had a dig at them.

“These shoes f**king suck,” Diaz said before taking the shoe off and gesturing to throw it away.

“Look at these shoes. They made me put this s**t on. F**k these shoes.”

Funnily enough, it's not time Diaz has had a pop at 'The Rock'.

Following his loss to Jorge Masvidal in their Baddest Motherf**ker' title bout at UFC 244, Diaz teed off on Johnson who was on hand to hand the belt over to the victor.

“F**k The Rock too man, that motherf**ker over here playing me,” Diaz said in his press conference.

“See him over there smiling with Masvidal. Should have had Mike Tyson handing out a belt if anybody… I don’t give a f**k about no belt anyway. But he can get it too.

“He’s on that side, f**k him. I’m on the west coast side. Mike Tyson should have been here anyway, he’s the baddest man on the planet right? He should have been the one.

“You guys caught me at a bad time. The Rock’s cool, I like Ballers… but he picked the wrong side so he can get his a**e whooped too. With all due respect, he can get it too.”

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Alamy

Topics: Australia, MMA, UFC, Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, Nate Diaz

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry