{"id":3788,"date":"2022-11-03T04:04:42","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T04:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/groundedmma.com\/?p=3788"},"modified":"2023-12-26T12:20:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-26T12:20:21","slug":"are-ufc-fighters-underpaid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/groundedmma.com\/are-ufc-fighters-underpaid\/","title":{"rendered":"Are UFC Fighters Underpaid? (UFC Fighter Pay Controversy)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo of Dana White by Andrius Petrucenia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are you wondering if UFC fighters are underpaid?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll explore whether UFC fighters are underpaid and the various reasons why and how this is the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are UFC Fighters Underpaid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, UFC fighters are underpaid. UFC fighters are underpaid because their expenses are very high in relation to their earnings, the UFC pay a low revenue percentage to its fighters, they have a chance of brain damage, and fighters are caught in restrictive and controlling contracts<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are many reasons why and how UFC fighters are underpaid, here are some of the most glaring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. UFC Fighters Receive a Low Revenue Percentage Payout (19-20%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. High Fighter Expenses<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Chance of Brain Damage and Developing CTE<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The UFC took over Sponsorship Rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. UFC Fighters Aren\u2019t Unionized<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. UFC Monopsony & Lack of Alternatives for Fighters<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Graveyard of MMA Promotions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Controversial, Restrictive, and Controlling Contracts<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    1. UFC Fighters Receive a Low Revenue Percentage Payout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Since 2010, the UFC has consistently paid its fighters between 16-20% of its total revenues. This is very low compared to the NFL, NBA, and NHL, whose players receive roughly 50% of total revenues, and one of the UFC\u2019s biggest competitors, Bellator, pays roughly 44%<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In the past 3 years, the UFC has recorded annual revenues of $860 million (2019), $890 million (2020), and $1 billion (2021), and is well on pace to cross $1.2 billion in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Based on these revenue payout numbers, it\u2019s easy to say UFC fighters are underpaid and that Endeavor can afford to its fighters more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, the UFC is only one of many businesses owned by Endeavour Group Holdings. EGH has a debt of roughly $6 billion and they\u2019re barely profitable each year. This profit from the UFC is being used to clear some debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Their main 3 business are the UFC, events, and representation, with the UFC being by far their most profitable business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Overall, despite the UFC having amazing earnings (EBITDA) and profits, the promotion is now part of a corporation that cares more about the bottom line than how much its fighters are paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. High UFC Fighter Expenses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s not cheap to be a professional MMA or UFC fighter. Here are the following average expenses a UFC fighter can expect to payout:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    International tax<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If fighters compete outside of their home country, their take-home pay is taxed a certain percentage they receive their money. This will often be between 10-30%, with John Cholish claiming<\/a> it\u2019s 27% for events in Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fight Camp: 2-3 months ($2,000-$8,000)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fight Camp can cost a fighter 5-10% of their total fight purse for each fight but it can depend on the negotiations between a fighter and their team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For fighters earning a $20,000 fight purse, that equates to a maximum of $2,000 for a team of 3 or 4 people for a 2 to 3-month period \u2013 which isn’t enough. In this case, they\u2019re likely paid per session or per month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Former UFC fighter John Cholish has said fight camp costs between $8,000-$12,000<\/a>, which is more realistic for 2 or 3 months of work for coaches, nutritionists, strength and conditioning trainers, or any other team-mates they have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Higher-paid fighters are also likely to pay a flat fee rather than a percentage because 10% of a $1 million fight purse is $100,000, which is way too much for a couple of months’ work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s a lot of money for fighters to pay out for, but it\u2019s an essential cost because they have to keep their skill level high in a constantly evolving sport. Their team also helps a fighter with mental health in an otherwise lonely sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A great team is essential in taking a fighter from earning a $20,000 purse, to earning a $200,000 purse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Management Fees ($2,000 – $6,000)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A UFC fighter\u2019s management fees are often between 10-20%<\/a> of their total purse for each fight, as negotiated between parties. It\u2019s entirely possible managers of the biggest earners are being paid flat fees, but numbers remain undisclosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A manager\u2019s job is to look after a fighter\u2019s finances, plan for their future in terms of the best fights to take, and how they\u2019ll make money after fighting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They also negotiate contracts, budget, schedule, provide media assistance, arrange medicals, do their yearly accounting, and do anything else the fighter needs help with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It has to be a fair amount of work because 20% of a purse is a big chunk of change, especially for the lower-paid fighters who don\u2019t have a lot of money left after other expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Travel Expenses & Accommodation ($1,000-$4,000)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is likely to be the most varied cost for a UFC fighter because it depends on the location of an event and how many people they\u2019re traveling with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The UFC pays for a fighter and 2 team-mate\u2019s flights but only 1 hotel room<\/a>, while travel expenses and accommodation for the rest of the team are coming out of the fighter\u2019s pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For this reason, many fighters are unwilling to fight in events outside of their home country, which is why you see many local fighters at each event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, at UFC London, a large majority of the event has British fighters because their travel and accommodation expenses are much lower, visas are a non-issue, and the fighters are chomping at the bit to fight at an event in their home country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pre-Fight Medicals ($500-$1000)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    MMA fighters are required to pay for the compulsory medical tests as required by the State Athletic Commissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These are blood tests, CAT scans, physicals, ophthalmologic tests (eye exams)<\/a>, and MRI\/MRA. These tests vary depending on location because some require more medicals than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    External Coaching – ($500-$2,000)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If a UFC fighter is looking to take their game to the next level, they may look to have private coaching with former UFC fighters or some of the best trainers outside of their team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For the most experienced and elite-level coaching<\/a>, it may cost between $50-$200 an hour. The amount of coaching and price varies for each fighter, but they may be willing to spend $1,000 extra before a fight if they feel it can help them win and bank an extra $20,000, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Often this one-time external coaching cost of $1,000 will be a lot cheaper than bringing them to the team and offering them a percentage cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Miscellaneous ($500-$1,000)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These are expenses UFC fighters need to pay for at random times and may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n