As the controversy surrounding the UFC’s working conditions for its fighters rolls on, Jared Cannonier is actually pretty happy with his deal. The UFC middleweight contender acknowledged on The MMA Hour that there are many who deserve fairer compensation, but his six-figure UFC contract is more than enough for the time being.
This is a long way from the man who, only months ago, said “I’m broke so I need fight”. “I got a new contract. So this is my first fight on my new contract.
Cannonier: Fighters Should “Definitely” Get the same Pay as “NFL, NBA athletes”
The fight with Gastelum, I believe that was the last fight on my contract, or it was the second-to-last fight, but it was close to the time for a renewal. I had already talked to my manager about that before the Gastelum fight, we could be potentially able to renew a contract and stuff like that, so this was the first fight on that contract.
Everybody goes back to that and says that I was complaining to the UFC about my pay. I’m like, no, I would never complain to the UFC because I’m the one who voluntarily signed the contract. They didn’t make me sign those contracts or anything like that.
The only thing I said was that I feel us being a major organization on ESPN, UFC athletes should definitely get paid the same that NFL, NBA athletes should, or compensated to a certain degree because injuries, families, all that kind of stuff.”
Jared Cannonier says he’s comfortable these days. Unlike some fighters, he isn’t in the game for fame. Jared Cannonier’s goal is financial independence and security for his family. “This is the whole reason why I quit my six-figure job in Alaska, because I’m getting six figures here in the UFC.
I don’t want people thinking, ‘He’s not getting paid.’ People hear that six-figure number and they start seeing dollar signs and Louis [Vuitton] bags and dumb sh*t like that, but that’s not what it’s about for me.
It’s all about being able to take care of myself, take care of my family. I’m trying to attain sovereignty, independence, and all that kind of good stuff. I’m in a good place as far as my contract and my standing with the UFC. I would like to be rich.
I’m more famous than I am rich. I would like to be more rich than I am famous. So that’s where I want to get to.” Do you think the UFC roster deserves the same pay as those in the NBA? Let us know in the comments.
