UFC Pay Scale, UFC Fighter Salaries

As popularity continues to grow with the UFC, so do the pay-per-view and gate totals. However, are the fighter’s salaries rising at a slower rate?

In 2006, the UFC reportedly made, in the neighborhood of, 223 million dollars from pay-per-view events. Those numbers are an incredible accomplishment for a sport thought to be a league of goons. With the sport of Mixed Martial Arts blowing up the way it has, the pay-per-view numbers for 2007 could destroy the 223 million from 2006. Even more amazing is the 223 million doesn’t include gate sales, which have been steadily growing as well.

In the re-match between “Rampage” Jackson and Chuck “The Ice-Man” Liddell, at UFC 71, the gate total was $4,304,740.00, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The total fighter pay roll for the event was $920,500. The UFC paid all the fighters with 25% of the gate, not even mentioning the pay-per-view totals. Those salaries don’t include bonuses or endorsements. Good business or cheap?

Now that the money seems to be there, how long will it be before UFC fighters begin to earn paydays in the same realm as boxing? When De La Hoya fought Mayweather, it was reported that Oscar would make 25,000,000 and “Pretty Boy Floyd” would make 10,000,000. After the fight, through pay-per-view, gate and endorsement deals, those numbers doubled. Reportedly, De La Hoya earned 50,000,000, in total, and Mayweather earned 20,000,000.

At UFC 62, Chuck Liddell made $250,00 not including endorsements and pay-per-view cuts. Nine months later Liddell made $500,000 in his loss to Rampage, doubling his payday within in a year. Half a million dollars, before pay-per-view and other cuts, is great money. However, that doesn’t even get a sniff at boxing totals.

Perhaps, the most shocking thing about the UFC salaries is, the lesser-known fighter’s paydays. Chris Laben, who’s had nine fights in the octagon, earned a measly $10,000 for his fight against Kaleb Starnes at UFC 71. Over a one year period, Laben might earn $20,000-$30,000 in salary at that rate. Those money totals rival a punter in the Canadian Football League, or a line cook at White Spot. Jeremy Stephens earned a mere $3,000 in his first fight loss to Din Thomas at the same event. Another stunning payday was Keith Jardine, who earned only $7,000 dollars in a loss to Houston Alexander. However, before that fight ever took place, Jardine was said to be one of the next big things in the Light Heavyweight division. $7,000 for a rising star seams pretty low.

There appears to be quite a jump in pay: from the under card fighters, to the main card fighters, and finally to the main event fighters in the UFC. The only question left is, where does all the money go? One thing the UFC does well is marketing itself, which is where some of the money is dedicated. As the UFC grows, so will the fighters salaries. But, for the fighters benefit, hopefully the paydays will grow considerably. The fighters are the ones responsible for what happens inside the octagon. Without the fighters it’s just an empty stop sign.

Watch this youtube.com clip of Frank explaining why he doesn't fight in the UFC and why he thinks the UFC is taking advantage of fighters.

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