UFC CEO Dana White has by no means shied away from speaking about fighter pay.
One of many largest criticisms round boxing and MMA is that fighters are usually not being paid some huge cash. Nonetheless, White has defended what the UFC has paid fighters and has had assist from fighters as nicely.
Though boxers could make upwards of $50 million a combat, some lower-end boxers don’t receives a commission a lot. However, talking on Shannon Sharpe’s Membership Shay Shay podcast, White in contrast boxing to UFC pay and pointed to boxing being on life assist.
“Boxing acquired so f*****up that no one might make a dwelling out of it, that Saudi Arabia needed to take it over. A bunch of folks that have a lot cash, they don’t care whether or not they make or lose cash,” White stated (by way of GiveMeSport).
White then claimed all UFC fighters are taken care of from top-to-bottom. White then stated whoever doesn’t like what fighters receives a commission can begin their very own MMA promotion.
“In case you don’t like the best way that it’s run right here, there’s no barrier to entry, arrange your individual MMA enterprise, and also you pay the blokes no matter you assume you wish to,” White stated.
Dana White has criticized boxing’s pay mannequin prior to now
This isn’t the primary time that Dana White has taken photographs on the pay mannequin in boxing.
Again in 2022, White stated fighters at all times need to make more cash, so he isn’t involved in regards to the criticism over fighter pay. He additionally blasted boxing and stated the game acquired ruined by how a lot cash the fighters had been making.
“Fighters at all times need to make more cash,” White stated to GQ (by way of BleacherReport). “Boxing has completely been destroyed due to cash and all of the issues that go on. It’s by no means gonna occur whereas I’m right here. Imagine me, these guys receives a commission what they’re imagined to receives a commission. They eat what they kill. They get a proportion of the pay-per-view buys and the cash is unfold out amongst all of the fighters.
“In case you don’t prefer it, there’s a easy resolution to this drawback: Go begin your individual MMA group. No barrier to entry. Knock your self out. Pay ’em no matter you wish to pay ’em. It’s been performed earlier than. How’s it labored out for different guys? Not nicely. Thoughts your corporation,” White added.
So long as White stays in control of UFC, it appears unlikely that fighter pay will improve all that a lot.
