[alnorth]

He thought he had leverage, and had to find out the hard way that he doesn't.

It might not seem fair, but if he was a heavyweight he probably could have gotten whatever pay bump or favorable opponent he wanted. Bantamweights and featherweights don't have much bargaining power unless they have the belt or they become as popular as Urijah Faber or TJ Dillashaw, and even if you are a champ in a little division, ask Mighty Mouse how much you can push Dana. The fans collectively don't care very much about most smaller guys unless they are at least a lightweight.