While everybody is whining and complaining about their pay in the UFC, there are still high-profile athletes such as Michael Chandler who are satisfied with their make. The fact that the UFC fighters are not earning enough, however, will not go away just by this.
According to 80% of the fighters, and according to the wider public they indeed do not make as much as they should. On top of this, this is not happening due to the promotion not making enough. But solely because that is the way Dana White and Zuffa Endeavor organizations decide.
Michael Chandler Against Higher Fighter Pay – Defends UFC And Dana White
So, being a pioneer in this nobility, or modesty regarding his pay, on top of this, going public with it, Michael might get some plus points with Dana White and the promotion.
The fighter recently features in an episode of the podcast ‘How U Livin J Piven’. The host Jeremy Piven brought the topic of prices and salaries for discussion. Michael jumps in the defense of the UFC president.
“I don’t have a problem with the quote/unquote ‘fighter pay’ argument. I think people think we should make a lot more money because the UFC makes a ton of money on their shows.” Chandler says. “Well, the UFC’s been at it since 1993. Dana White has had 10,000 sleepless nights when most of us fighters are just showing up to practice and going to bed. Laying our head on the pillow and getting after it—and getting paid a decent wage for what we do.”
However, while his pay is satisfying him, he is open to the option to make more money outside of the UFC. According to him, the fighters should not be lazy. They should start looking for a way to monetize things outside of the cage.
“For me, I have been able to monetize things outside of just my fights. You always see guys on the microphone saying UFC should pay more, or that the media should say that the UFC should pay more… But these are never the guys who are out there having their own YouTube channel, getting roles in movies, building fitness & wellness lifestyle programs, selling merch, etc. Doing all the different things that we can do as fighters because we’re independent contractors. With our platform and our name and likeness, the UFC owns it. And they can use a picture and a video of me in whatever they want. But I can sell shirts, I can sell hats, I can do whatever I want. I can be in your next movie clears throat, I don’t know? We can do whatever we want.”
So he is looking for a way to make more money. Why would you look for more money if your main job is paying you enough? Doesn’t Michael contradict himself with this?
He continues to rant about how he is a self-motivating type of a guy. How he is not worrying about anything else aside from what he believes and wants. How other people’s opinions do not affect him and a lot more. However, the main point is that he is also looking for a way to make more money.
We do believe that Dana White puts a lot into the UFC and he is to be given merit for many things. But the pay is not at the level it should be. And that is a fact. What do you think? Do the fighters make enough?
