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Too often, especially lately, fighters (mostly champions but some contenders) have been holding out or outright refusing fights with legitimate challengers in favor of fights with people more likely to generate more money.
This is a direct result of shit fighter pay and why champions especially need a structured, guaranteed salary (on top of bonuses, and other earnings). At this point it is more lucrative for fighters to fight lesser opponents who will net them more money than it is to fight top contenders. A perfect example is Bisping/Hendo. Hendo had no business getting that title shot, but it was a big money fight for both men. Other examples are Alvarez/McGregor, Cruz/Garbrandt, and fighters like Mousasi and Woodley trying to get fights with Anderson, Diaz, and GSP instead of fighting top contenders.
Give fighters a decent paycheck and they will be more willing to fight better challengers
This is a direct result of shit fighter pay and why champions especially need a structured, guaranteed salary (on top of bonuses, and other earnings). At this point it is more lucrative for fighters to fight lesser opponents who will net them more money than it is to fight top contenders. A perfect example is Bisping/Hendo. Hendo had no business getting that title shot, but it was a big money fight for both men. Other examples are Alvarez/McGregor, Cruz/Garbrandt, and fighters like Mousasi and Woodley trying to get fights with Anderson, Diaz, and GSP instead of fighting top contenders.
Give fighters a decent paycheck and they will be more willing to fight better challengers