Comments on: UFC 98 Salaries: Evans, Hughes, Machida Top Earners

By: DigYourOwnHole

DigYourOwnHole — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:29:51 +0000

I think he meant more that if the fighters don’t like how they are paid, they should “get a real job”, as in a job that has a standard work week, 9-5, salary.

By: Turk

Turk — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:13:08 +0000

dbiz

Was wondering what’s a real job to you? What’s your career? Have you ever been into a fight professionally?
I’m guessing not! Fighting alone isn’t these guys only job. If you watch the UFC you would realize there are some phenomenal athletes out there training two, some times three times a day how is that not a real job. Not trying to be a dick but, go to the gym if you don’t already, and see just how hard just being in good shape is let alone the shape these guys are in.

By: Turk

Turk — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:02:06 +0000

I understand about the sponsor money guys, and wouldn’t even say or compare anything with Affliction and the UFC its like comparing little league and the major league there totally different. {2 shows vs 98] plus the TUF show. The UFC pulls in their fare share as well. I’m done with the payouts as none of us have any say about it anyway. My point is MMA is growing so rapidly that they should pay fighters accordingly. Look at all our other major sports NO ONE, pry not even the water boys {joking] make 25k a year. Also the fighters have to make the sponsors WANT to promote them don’t they?

By: bsbiz

bsbiz — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:52:40 +0000

Oh, and also the guys who are making $5k are usually ones called in last minute for a one fight fill-in.

By: bsbiz

bsbiz — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:51:36 +0000

It should also be noted that every guy who made less than $10k in base salary is on their first contract. Between $5 and $8k seems to be the standard first contract amount, and generally it seems to be $8 for most of the new ones signed in the last year or so. Is that a pittance? Maybe, but as has been pointed out in numerous “debates” (and by debates I really mean internet shouting matches), simply “going to Affliction” isn’t the payday for these guys that it is made out to be. The best way to get a better contract in the UFC: either be a true stud from the WEC (not applicable now that weight classes no longer overlap, but see Chael Sonnen), or make sure that you perform really well over the life of your first contract and work your way up. Same as all other jobs.

By: Markus J

Markus J — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:40:30 +0000

Wow, Matt Hughes got $260,000.00 to receive a flash knockout and then proceed to lay on the mat for 10 more minutes. Talk about a pay day for doing nothing.

By: bzul3

bzul3 — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:55:38 +0000

Im also sure that Rashad, Lyoto, Hughes, and Serra got a nice cut from PPV too.

By: L4E1X5

L4E1X5 — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:11:40 +0000

Haha, De La Hoya got millions for taking a beating, this doesn’t surprise me!

By: Coach

Coach — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:41:25 +0000

Minus the taxes, have a base salary of $5000 a fight, plus incentives, and guys like Nover don’t make $10 K for taping/stopage due to strikes. I bet my poker salary, guys who fight for a bonuses, give a better fight.

By: dbiz

dbiz — Wed, 27 May 2009 02:48:14 +0000

And yet the card, on the whole, had higher payouts than Affliction who had several 2k fighters on the card. One guy made under 5k, and he would have made more had he won.

If these guys aren’t happy with what they make, they should get a real job. No one has a RIGHT to make anything fighting. If you can’t earn a living in one job, get another.

I’m sick of the whining.