How Much Do UFC Fighters Really Earn?

USAWed Jan 21 2026
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UFC fighters risk a lot for their sport. They train hard, face injuries, and put their bodies on the line. But do they get paid enough? Some fighters think not. Jorge Masvidal, a former UFC welterweight, shared his thoughts on fighter pay. He noticed something odd during contract talks for a title fight. The UFC wanted to pay him less than his last fight, even though he was fighting for a world championship. That didn't make sense to him. Masvidal also compared UFC pay to other sports leagues. In the NBA, NHL, and baseball, players get about 50% of the revenue they bring in. In the UFC, fighters only get around 18%. That's a big difference.
Arman Tsarukyan, another UFC fighter, talked about where the money goes. He said that even with a big win, taxes, gym fees, trainer fees, and manager cuts take a huge chunk. After all that, fighters often end up with little to no profit. Sponsorships help, but it's not enough. Paddy Pimblett, however, has a different view. He believes fighters need to bring in the crowd to earn more. He says he gets paid well because he fills the seats. If fighters can't draw a crowd, they can't expect big paychecks. Pimblett's recent fight against Michael Chandler earned him around $556, 000. He also got a $50, 000 bonus for his performance. But not all fighters are as lucky. The debate continues: Are UFC fighters fairly paid? It's a complex issue with no easy answers.
https://localnews.ai/article/how-much-do-ufc-fighters-really-earn-8945f53e

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