LAS VEGAS – Justin Gaethje did what many UFC fighters often avoid doing in media – discussing pay.
This Wednesday, ahead of his interim lightweight title fight against Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) at UFC 324, Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) was asked about what he’s done with the money he’s earned in Fight Night bonuses. “The Highlight” holds the record for the most Fight Night bonuses in UFC history, winning 14 bonuses in his 14 UFC fights. The promotion pays $50,000 per bonus, rewarding fighters for impressive knockouts, submissions, and exciting fights.
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Gaethje finds it wild that he’s not cracked seven figures with his Fight Night bonuses alone despite being the record holder.
“Oh, man, to have 14 bonuses and not have it equal up to $1 million, it’s not right,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “It should be a lot more than that. I should’ve had opportunities to do smarter things with my money, but I haven’t. To this day, I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card. I’m not getting paid one dollar more than if this deal hadn’t happened.”
The UFC is on the verge of debuting in its new broadcasting deal. UFC 324 marks the first event under the CBS-Paramount deal, in which the UFC received $7.7 billion for 7 years of broadcasting rights to all Fight Night and numbered events. Unlike the NBA, the NFL, and other sports leagues that split the revenue of the broadcasting deals, UFC keeps 100 percent of the money earned through its broadcasting partners.
Daniel Cormier, a retired former UFC champion now working as a commentator for the UFC, recently claimed the fighters would now be making more money under the CBS-Paramount deal, given the higher income through broadcasting rights. UFC CEO Dana White has hinted at the same in a few recent interviews, although nothing has yet been announced or confirmed by the promotion, the fighters, or independently.The UFC recently faced two major antitrust lawsuits – Le v. Zuffa and Johnson v. Zuffa. Both lawsuits allege anticompetitive practices suppressed fighter pay. The UFC settled in the Le v. Zuffa lawsuit, which resulted in a $375 million payment for fighters who competed from 2010-2017. Johnson v. Zuffa still continues.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Justin Gaethje claims no pay increase after $7.7B UFC-Paramount deal
