The UFC fighter pay controversy continues, with Jared Cannonier elaborating on his own financial position. Following his decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum last weekend, Cannonier told assembled fans that he was “broke” and ready to fight again as soon as possible.
During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Cannonier clarified the remark, stating that although he won’t be declaring bankruptcy anytime soon, the reality for many fighters including himself is that their pay just doesn’t go very far.
“Broke” Cannonier “would like to get paid like an elite-level athlete”
“It’s not dire, it’s just a natural occurrence if you will. Of course coming off the injury, I’m not balling out of control or anything like that, and a lot of people don’t understand that when we have these fights that we owe people money after these fights.
After this win, 60 percent of my money is already gone. Between the gym, between management, between taxes, on top of that I’ve got bills, credit cards, I got kids, I’ve got a house up in Alaska, I’ve got a house here, I’ve got car payments.
That money goes. Money don’t last forever.” Cannonier was out of the fight game for a long spell thanks to injuries he sustained inside the Octagon. Now that he’s back in fighting shape, he wants to get to work “Right now fighting is our only revenue.
I don’t have sponsors or anything like that. Fighting is my only focus. I’m not out here doing commercials or anything like that. Nobody’s asking me to be in the next Marvel movie.
Not being able to fight for the last 10 months put a strain on our pockets. So I’m glad to have gotten back in there. I’m glad that I get two checks plus that main event bonus. I’m glad I’m not injured so I can do it again.”
Cannonier continued, pointing out the discrepancy between his own athletic pay check and that of other American athletes, particularly in the NBA or NFL.
“I’m not here to say the UFC isn’t paying me, because I’m getting paid pretty good from the UFC. It’s just that money don’t last forever. I’m not out here balling out of control, I’m not splurging or anything like that. I’m not stupid, I don’t spend my money on dumb stuff but it’s just life I guess. I would like to get paid.
I am an elite level athlete. I would like to get paid like an elite level athlete. Like the ones in the NFL and NBA and the one’s playing baseball and soccer and doing all that stuff.
They get sponsors but they don’t need sponsors. All they need is that check through the organization. That’s what we need here in the UFC. That’s what we would all like.”
The UFC does not have a formal minimum-revenue contract with its athletes, unlike the USA’s other major sporting franchises. A greater percentage of the UFC’s revenue would mean a huge boost in pay for its roster, but it’s unlikely that Dana White would take the chance to lower his bottom line.
Do you think the UFC’s fighters deserve to be paid more? Let us know in the comments.
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