'Heartbreaking' - fighter pay debate laid bare at UFC London

Some of the most impressive performances at UFC London came on the undercard.

“- Published Some of the most impressive performances at UFC London came on the undercard”

BBC

Nathaniel Wood overcame the odds yet again to beat Losene Keita, while Mason Jones overwhelmed Axel Sola in a bruising back and forth fight of the year encounter.

BBC

Jones and Sola were covered in blood and breathing heavily by the end of their contest, with both fighters swinging until the final bell, using every last drop of energy.

Fighters on the prelims like Wood and Jones don't get as much media attention or promotion from the UFC - and strikingly less money than their headlining peers.

But in a sport that demands so much from the flesh and mind, there are arguments the athletes should be better looked after amid a changing landscape in combat sports.

Fighter pay has been questioned after boxer Conor Benn secured a reported £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing.

Zuffa Boxing is owned by UFC president Dana White, so critics have asked why White isn't paying similar amounts to his MMA fighters under contract.

BBC

The UFC gives about 20% of revenue to fighter pay, compared with boxers who get about 60% of revenue from their events.

London's Wood, who has won 11 of 14 fights in the UFC, said Benn's deal would spark change and that he was heartbroken by the disparity, noting he has eight years in the UFC and is not on that level, not even 1% of Benn's earnings.

Asked about criticisms amid the Benn deal, White said the situation is a good thing for fighters and pointed to fighter pay rising since 2001, while also citing the UFC's new £5.7bn broadcast deal with Paramount as evidence that pay growth will continue.

“- Published Some of the most impressive performances at UFC London came on the undercard”

BBC

He added that fighter pay will be just fine over the next seven years.

Wood said he is happy with his pay from the UFC because there is no other promotion that would pay him more, but he acknowledged the figure does not compare to top athletes in other sports.

Michael 'Venom' Page supported this view, arguing that top athletes in other sports earn far more and that MMA fighters deserve more given the danger, attention, and effort involved.

BBC

Page defeated Sam Patterson at UFC London and walked out to Michael Jackson's They Don't Care About Us.

Earlier this month, Tom Aspinall signed a commercial and advisory deal with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn to maximize his earnings outside the UFC; Aspinall said he accepted his current contract but wanted to explore other options.

Welsh lightweight Mason Jones said he would not partner with Eddie Hearn, but fighters must be prepared to take opportunities like Aspinall to supplement income from fight pay.

Jones added that in the modern era of the UFC you have to do more yourself to get noticed and generate your own wealth and legacy.