UFC owners address fighter pay concerns after kicking off $7.7 billion deal with Paramount: 'We take that very seriously'
The UFC's New Deal: A Double-Edged Sword for Fighters?
The UFC's recent seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount has sparked a debate about fighter compensation. While UFC CEO Dana White has pledged to increase fighter pay and performance bonuses, some fighters remain skeptical, questioning whether the deal will truly benefit them.
White's plan includes boosting post-fight bonuses, which recently increased from $50,000 to $100,000, along with a new $25,000 finish bonus. However, some fighters, like former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, argue that these changes haven't translated into higher pay. Strickland even went as far as to say, 'no one's getting paid f*cking more' and suggested that fighters could make more money working at Walmart.
Addressing these concerns, TKO Group Holdings president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro emphasized that both UFC and WWE (TKO's parent company) take fighter pay seriously. Shapiro highlighted their margins, which reached 33.5% last year, and announced that they aim for a 40% margin, including increased fighter and superstar pay.
While Shapiro didn't directly address specific pay issues, he assured that athletes will see more money from the Paramount deal. He pointed to the bonus structure changes as an example, although these bonuses are awarded arbitrarily at each event and not guaranteed. However, Shapiro assured that the UFC will continue to focus on fighter compensation, ensuring that any increases align with their margin guidance.
Only time will tell if these promises will translate into tangible pay increases for fighters, especially as more athletes complete deals negotiated before the new broadcast deal begins in 2026. The UFC's commitment to fighter pay is a crucial aspect of its relationship with athletes, and the coming years will be pivotal in determining the impact of this new deal.
