The response to UFC’s groundbreaking cope with Paramount has resulted in lots of reactions.
On Monday, information broke that Paramount had pushed a whopping $7.7 billion to change into the unique streaming residence for the 2026 Final Preventing Championship occasion.
It was sufficient information to please the battle followers.
Nonetheless, there was lots of discuss how eliminating the outdated pay-per-view mannequin will have an effect on fighter salaries. Historically, UFC Championships and High Stars obtain PPV factors as a part of their contracts. Primarily, fighters can earn bonuses primarily based on the acquisition fee for a selected PPV occasion. The extra individuals purchase it, the more cash the athlete will convey residence.
Does that imply fighters will lose a whole lot of 1000’s of {dollars} within the course of, as PPVs have been primarily eradicated as of 2026? One of many UFC legends means that it could be, however three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen disagrees.
“The concept that fighter jets pays much less is that fighters by no means receives a commission much less,” he mentioned through his YouTube channel. “And that features years when firms have been much less. In case your conclusion is that fighters are lower than they’re now, then I really feel you missed the purpose rather a lot whereas being given the present of not paying for a pay-per-view anymore.
“It is by no means in historical past, together with the yr when the UFC misplaced cash. There, fighter salaries did not rise year-on-year. By the way in which, it wasn’t negotiated. The concept that MMA fighters know what they make is just mistaken.”
Dana White addresses fighter issues.
Following a brand new episode of Dana White’s candidate collection on Tuesday, the UFC CEO briefly tackled a few of the issues surrounding fighter salaries, revealing that the bonus has been “evidently” rising.
“Hear, we nonetheless need to get collectively and perceive issues like this, so I am not going to touch upon it,” White instructed reporters. Candidate Collection Tuesday’s Scrum. “It is August. It’s essential perceive that till January. However the reply is straightforward. The bonus is clearly rising. It is getting larger. Neglect the tide rises together with all the opposite fighters. Simply the variety of bonuses convey to the fighters.”
