Demetrious Johnson revealed how a lot he made within the UFC.
The UFC’s fighter pay points have develop into a scorching matter these days. And on a current Twitch stream, former UFC flyweight champion and present ONE Championship flyweight champion, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson bought into the specifics of how a lot he made throughout his time within the UFC.
“After I fought Dominick Cruz, I used to be on a contract,” he stated on the stream. “I feel I used to be combating for $14,000 and $14,000. I misplaced to Dominick Cruz, so I made $14K. Then I used to be about to combat Eddie Wineland, and that didn’t undergo, so I fought Ian McCall in Australia. I used to be nonetheless on that very same contract. After which I bought a brand new contract once I fought Ian McCall the second time. I feel I bought bumped as much as $20,000 and $20,000.”
Johnson revealed that he nonetheless made $20,000/$20,000 in his subsequent combat in opposition to Joseph Benavidez, during which he grew to become the UFC’s inaugural flyweight champion. He then adopted with how a lot he made for his first three title defenses.
“After I fought John Dodson, I made $23,000 and $23,000,” he stated. “After which once I fought John Moraga, it most likely went to $26,000 and $26,000. After which when it was Joseph Benavidez, I feel it was like $30,000 and $30,000.”
At this level, Johnson began questioning how a lot leverage he had as a champion. It took him three title defenses to earn a champions contract. However even then, it was not precisely rainbows and butterflies, he says.
“I lastly bought a brand new contract as champion, and I feel it was $125,000 to indicate and $50,000 to win, however I couldn’t get pay-per-view factors – and that’s the place a champion makes most of their bang for his or her buck,” Johnson stated. “As a result of when you get on a card with a Conor McGregor and he does 2.1 million buys, you then simply do the f—ing math. You’re going to make a s—load of cash. I by no means bought the chance to try this.”
Demetrious Johnson’s complaints sound just like Francis Ngannou’s UFC pay complaints
Johnson’s statements got here simply days after former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou appeared on the MMA Hour to reply questions on his current departure from the group. On Jan. 15, the UFC introduced Jon Jones would return in opposition to Cyril Gane for the vacant heavyweight championship at UFC 285, and introduced Ngannou was a free agent.
White stated they supplied Ngannou a contract that may have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC historical past.
“Possibly Tyson Fury is a lesser opponent for Dana White,” Ngannou stated, alluding to the teased boxing bout between the heavyweights. Ngannou mentioned his negotiation with the UFC, talking about how he requested for sponsorship rights, medical insurance, and a fighter advocate to be current at UFC board conferences. He additionally proposed a three-fight extension, which included two fights with Jones and a bout with Stipe Miocic between them.
“I requested for lots of issues, which doesn’t imply I used to be anticipating all these issues,” Ngannou instructed Ariel Helwani. “However I used to be anticipating one or two out of these issues.”
Johnson and Ngannou aren’t the primary fighters to talk up in regards to the concern. Nonetheless, listening to their experiences inside shut proximity of one another has shed a lightweight on the struggles of being a UFC fighter, not to mention a champion. If fighters of their caliber weren’t given the proper pay, remedy, or respect for various causes, you can solely think about what fighters on the backside of the rankings expertise.
