UFC minimum pay structure

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: callithowyouseeit
Date: March 16, 2016 at 09:00 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

With an increasing number of fighters testing free-agency, it seems like a relevant time to talk fighter pay.
The current pay structure is pretty abysmal for professional athletes competing in the most elite MMA organization on the planet.
Fighters have a hazardous job, diminished ability to get sponsors, and have significant overhead responsibilities. Many guys are more or less fighting to break even.
Assuming a show/win pay structure... What do you think is fair and realistic for UFC fighters to expect?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Rocksteady
Date: March 16, 2016 at 09:05 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

If you think the pay structure from the UFC is abysmal, you should check out what other promotions are paying their fighters and make a thread on that instead.
Also SEE :

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: brian04280
Date: March 16, 2016 at 09:11 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

It wasn't that long ago that low pay was $1,500/$1,500. The pay is climbing considerably and fairly quickly. Comparing it to NFL salaries is inane.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: holmezy
Date: March 16, 2016 at 09:21 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

Rocksteady said:
If you think the pay structure from the UFC is abysmal, you should check out what other promotions are paying their fighters and make a thread on that instead.
Click to expand...
Those other promotions also don't make the same profits the UFC does and therefore makes more sense as to why there payouts are so terrible. Considering how big the UFC is and the money they pull in I would think something like 20/20 or 30/30 is fair.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: callithowyouseeit
Date: March 16, 2016 at 09:41 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

brian04280 said:
It wasn't that long ago that low pay was $1,500/$1,500. The pay is climbing considerably and fairly quickly. Comparing it to NFL salaries is inane.
Click to expand...
There are zero NFL comparisons in this thread.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: abc0331
Date: March 16, 2016 at 09:57 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

I will just suggest anyone here who has not yet watched fightville, they need too.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Magson13
Date: March 16, 2016 at 10:07 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

They should get 0/0 contracts, and be required to make all their money through sponsors.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mabrown45
Date: March 16, 2016 at 10:22 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

holmezy said:
Those other promotions also don't make the same profits the UFC does and therefore makes more sense as to why there payouts are so terrible. Considering how big the UFC is and the money they pull in I would think something like 20/20 or 30/30 is fair.
Click to expand...
look back 10 years ago in the UFC and tell me pay hasn't gone up extremely

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MysterLynch
Date: March 16, 2016 at 10:35 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

holmezy said:
Those other promotions also don't make the same profits the UFC does and therefore makes more sense as to why there payouts are so terrible. Considering how big the UFC is and the money they pull in I would think something like 20/20 or 30/30 is fair.
Click to expand...
Nor do they have the expenses the UFC has, often don't pay as much of the expenses, don't provide the free 50k of health care each year, don't spend an estimated 5 million a year on drug testing, pay all production costs or have over 400 employees. It was only a year and a half ago that saw the UFC's bond rating drop due to poor business. I think the bottom of 10+10 is just fine, especially considering that same fighter would likely half of that from Bellator, maybe less than that. But I do think that contracts should have stronger bonuses if fighters do well. Many deals are 10+10 with a 2k bump with each win. Instead, make it 10+1-0 w/ 2k bump for 1st win, 4k bump for 2nd, 6k bump for 3rd. So a fighter going 3-0 would be at 22+22 for his 4th fight. Right now, many guys get bonuses for good fights, generally 5-15k, but that is not something they can count on, stronger win bonuses would help those that truly thrive.
Free agency is a great thing and will raise the pay for many fighters, I just hope that WSOF and Bellator guys are smart enough to test the waters.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Chadderall
Date: March 16, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

they should get paid in UFC store gift cards.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: callithowyouseeit
Date: March 16, 2016 at 11:37 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

Chadderall said:
they should get paid in UFC store gift cards.
Click to expand...
So they can buy the reebok gear they already get for free.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: BowserGOAT
Date: March 16, 2016 at 11:41 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

You guys realize reported commission payouts mean nothing right? You don't know how much these guys are actually making.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Spud
Date: March 17, 2016 at 01:45 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

It's not the guys on minimum pay who are looking elsewhere, it's the guys a step or 2 above that level.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Spud
Date: March 17, 2016 at 01:47 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

BowserGOAT said:
You guys realize reported commission payouts mean nothing right? You don't know how much these guys are actually making.
Click to expand...
Aljamain Sterling said the biggest bonus he ever got was $6K. Reported pay doesn't "mean nothing", especially for lower end fighters.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: abc0331
Date: March 17, 2016 at 09:53 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

Spud said:
Aljamain Sterling said the biggest bonus he ever got was $6K. Reported pay doesn't "mean nothing", especially for lower end fighters.
Click to expand...
Because fighters have no motivation low balling their numbers to get public support at contract negotiations.
Nobody is reliable when it comes to pay reports.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: MysterLynch
Date: March 17, 2016 at 11:00 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

BowserGOAT said:
You guys realize reported commission payouts mean nothing right? You don't know how much these guys are actually making.
Click to expand...
Spud said:
Aljamain Sterling said the biggest bonus he ever got was $6K. Reported pay doesn't "mean nothing", especially for lower end fighters.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say disclosed pay means nothing, but it should not be taken as gospel.
Spud, you kind of make his point in that AS states he has rec'd pay beyond his disclosed. 6k is, based on what I have heard, on the low side, but my impression has always been that Sterling rubbed Joe Silva the wrong way, hopefully the new deal means a fresh start for the two. Based on what I have heard, guys generally see 5-15k. Some end up with a lot more, especially those higher up on the card. Maldonado, for his loss to Glover, reportedly rec'd 30k while having a base around 15k.
But the difference is most notable in the main card fights, especially main and co-main events. Meltzer has long said that fighters in the top two bouts of PPVs have been getting at least six figures for years. So when a guy like Keith Jardine reportedly makes 30k...that was way off base.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: callithowyouseeit
Date: March 17, 2016 at 11:20 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

I think many of you are skirting the issue.
We're not talking kick-backs and undisclosed payouts for fighters farther up the tier. The purpose of the thread was to talk about sort of a "minimum wage" for brand new and bottom tier fighters in the organization.
You know those guys aren't getting taken care without putting on a memorable performance.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: london209
Date: March 17, 2016 at 11:23 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

I couldn't care less if they only got 500 bucks to throw down Conor McGregor and rousey has proven no matter the sport your in if you capture the worlds hearts or minds you will earn money
Fighting in the UFC gives you a public platform and opens doors use it get your hustle on
If aljamain sterling retired tomorrow saying he didn't earn enough to carry on in a year who would care ?
Nobody would it's all about the next big fight or event
People out there are saving lives everyday for near to minimum wage
If your in the UFC today .. Their was no money in it when you started training unless you was top of the heap and it's the same now
Get in the cage and compete or step aside and let someone else

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mmablaster
Date: March 17, 2016 at 01:27 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

Depends on how many people are seeing the fight and what the value is that the fighter is generating for the UFC. I'd say something like this:
Fightpass- 10K/10K
Televised prelims- 25/25K
Main card Fight Night/FS1- 35K/35K
Main card PPV/Fox- 45K/45K

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mmablaster
Date: March 17, 2016 at 01:38 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/ufc-minimum-pay-structure.68697/

london209 said:
I couldn't care less if they only got 500 bucks to throw down Conor McGregor and rousey has proven no matter the sport your in if you capture the worlds hearts or minds you will earn money
Fighting in the UFC gives you a public platform and opens doors use it get your hustle on
If aljamain sterling retired tomorrow saying he didn't earn enough to carry on in a year who would care ?
Nobody would it's all about the next big fight or event
People out there are saving lives everyday for near to minimum wage
If your in the UFC today .. Their was no money in it when you started training unless you was top of the heap and it's the same now
Get in the cage and compete or step aside and let someone else
Click to expand...
1. Fighting in the UFC does open doors, but a big one, short/banner sponsors got crushed by the UFC in exchange for a Reebok policy that screwed just about every fighter except last second replacements.
2. Yes, I'd care if Sterling retired. He is one of the best 135 pounders, a division that isn't exactly stacked. I want the best athletes in the world to consider MMA. Right now, the pay sucks for anyone who isn't near the top, so many elite athletes don't even consider going to MMA. There should be more NCAA champion/All-Americans wrestlers going into MMA, there should be more HW's who are/were NFL hopefuls that go to MMA.
3. Fireman/police/teachers aren't starring in a TV show where they are generating huge sponsorship dollars, TV money and drawing people to a live event. The more apt comparison is UFC fighter to actor, singer, NFL/NBA/MLB/golfer. Nobody really cares when the cast of Modern Family hold out and get significant raises. In an MMA fight, basically 2 fighters are starring in the show for 15 to 25 minutes.
4. No. I don't want to see someone else compete. I want to see the best of the best. I've seen plenty of regional MMA. Those guys have heart. But most lack elite athletiscm, skill and talent.