UFC legend Georges St-Pierre today joined current stars Donald Cerrone, Tim Kennedy, Cain Velasquez and T.J. Dillashaw for an announcement that Kennedy promised would "change an industry and a sport forever": the formation of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association. 

Also involved is former Bellator promoter Bjorn Rebney. Rebney, who sold Bellator to Viacom in 2011, has been completely absent from the public scene since finalizing the sale.

The MMAAA is one of multiple attempts at organizing the UFC's athletes that have cropped up since the sale of the UFC to WME-IMG in July. Baseball super-agent Jeff Borris is also attempting to create a union, though it is UFC-specific and has recently run into its share of issues. This latest effort, in addition to featuring big-name UFC fighters, also holds the advantage of having James Quinn—perhaps the best anti-trust and organizing lawyer in the world—on their team. 

It was also noted that Rebney, while seemingly spearheading the push to organize fighters, has no actual power in the organization. 

"This is going to run by fighters. The five fighters you are hearing today are who will be making the decisions," Kennedy said. "Bjorn doesn't have the power to make a vote here. The strength is in unity and we have the power to speak up and make the decisions." 

St-Pierre, who recently declared himself a free agent after being unable to come to terms on a new fight with the UFC, was vehement in the stance he has elected to take. 

"I'm here today to talk about these problems and to make the situation better. I will be seen as a villain by the UFC, just like I was when I brought up advanced performance enhancing drug testing," he said. "I walked away (from the UFC) because it wasn't fair to me. It wasn't a 50/50 split like it should be, and there are many fighters who aren't getting what they deserve. Conor McGregor isn't getting paid what he should be receiving."

"A lot of these guys have families and this is unacceptable. The reason I'm here today is because this thing is the most solid option out of all of them. I think it's time for us to make our voice heard and make change happen for the best of the UFC and all of the fighters. I know a lot of fighters are afraid it's time to step up and do the right thing. We should never be afraid to step up for virtues and do what is right." 

St-Pierre said that UFC fighters only receive 8% of the revenue pulled in by the UFC. It was a number repeated by nearly every other fighter on the call. Rebney said the aim is to move that 8% to 50%, creating an equal profit sharing system between the UFC and the fighters. He also said the organization had two other goals: a large financial settlement that would also cover fighters no longer with the UFC, and the creation of a new collective bargaining agreement that would ensure future generations of fighters are treated with the respect they deserve. 

Cerrone voiced the fear many UFC stars feel: the fear of reprimand from the UFC for joining this effort. Rebney reminded the call participants—fighters included—that many state and federal laws exist to prevent companies from punishing those who choose to organize. But still, Cerrone said he was fearful, but he doesn't care any more. 

"Years ago I should have spoke up but I was afraid the UFC would bench me or take out their anger on me. I should have spoken up then but I'm doing it now," he said. "There are so many things I want answers to. Fighters train and get hurt and need surgeries and if you don't fight you don't get paid. I absolutely feel fear here. I think standing with the five guys here, we are big names and we need to get the rest of the guys to stand up and not be afraid anymore." 

Rebney promised a stream of announcements concerning other participating fighters in the coming weeks. We'll continue to provide coverage of what might ultimately be a landmark story in mixed martial arts history in the coming days.