If UFC paid their champions more, would more people watch?

[GSP_37]

That's insane. The fighting is probably the same whether they are paid low or high, unless the super high pay makes them fight more to win than to finish like GSP and Aldo.

 

[mudrubble]

Do yourself a favor and stop hanging out with complete idiots.

But then I'd have nothing to report to Sherdog on idiotic threads

 

[Sakuraba7]

Who knows. But higher pay in general would likely attract more athletes. An uptick in that regard could conceivably attract more viewers.

There's already a lot of athletes who want to get in. Not everyone's gotta be from the States. As of right now, MMA is experiencing a boom in Russia and Central-Asia. While fighters from there and Japan are grossly underrepresented in the UFC.

 

[Source]

The more money on the line, the more fascinating the fight. It's just human nature to be interested in high risk, high reward situations.

Just ask your boss for a raise already.

 

[gevoudane]

I think it would bring in some better competition and then that would bring in more views in the long run.

 

[HendoIsChamp]

It definitely would. Casual fans run shit

 

[DarkneT]

It's a double edged sword
If the UFC paid their champs 'too' much
They would never get them to fight

Look at what those two pay cheques did for Nate,

Guys would win the title and defend once a year for optimised health.

Gotta keep the slaves hungry
Good business

 

[OrigFan255]

The UFC isn't a Texas Hold Em' tournament.

 

[Roljo]

It's a double edged sword
If the UFC paid their champs 'too' much
They would never get them to fight

Look at what those two pay cheques did for Nate,

Guys would win the title and defend once a year for optimised health.

Gotta keep the slaves hungry
Good business

sad but true

 

[Oliver Clothesoff]

I don't think it would have any effect at all.

 

[vandymeer13]

Dumb fucking question. I could give a fuck less how much they make. Most deserve more pay but people don't give a shot especially for most of these point fighters.

 

[Cairne Bloodhoof]

It's not a direct correlation, but raising the base salaries would invite more athletes into the world of MMA.

That way, the quality of the product improves and we the end users feel better about endorsing said product with our hard-earned money.

 

[JT RIPPER]

Why would I watch more based on what THEY get paid? What sorta effect is that supposed to have on us as viewers/fans?

 

[xxax]

Are you joking TS? The reason guys like Mcgregor get paid so much is because they draw. Same goes for Rousey, Brock etc.

Here's how much Conor got for his first UFC fight
Conor McGregor: $76,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 win bonus, $60,000 Knockout of the Night bonus)
Basically if he lost he would get fucking 8,000$, if he won without the KO 16,000$

By your logic nobody should watch Conor since he only got paid 8,000 to show.

 

[Chagaev]

There's already a lot of athletes who want to get in. Not everyone's gotta be from the States. As of right now, MMA is experiencing a boom in Russia and Central-Asia. While fighters from there and Japan are grossly underrepresented in the UFC.

It's harder to promote a fighter from this part of the world, there's a language barrier and different paradigm over all.

 

[Sakuraba7]

It's harder to promote a fighter from this part of the world, there's a language barrier and different paradigm over all.

I know. Which is why i think its better to have more orgs, and for MMA media (you know, the people who claim they're fans of the sport and not casuals) cover foreign leagues.

The UFC will never have all the talent, nor all the best talent. There's always going to be fighters outside, even if they want to be signed to the UFC, the UFC's own signing process is completely arbitrary.


As far as language is concerned, it hasn't stopped them from signing so many Brazilians. Aren't they the second largest group after US signees? The couple Russians they do have, have been poorly promoted. Almost entirely relegated to Fight Pass prelims. Even Khabib was a mid-prelim fighter and was being ignored UNTIL he cut that infamous promo at 205 calling Conor a chicken.

 

[combobreaker]

No, not at all.

However, if UFC paid their champions more (fighters in general) it would attract a greater talent pool of athletes competing.

So ultimately, yes.. Yes it would.

 

[oldschoolmmafan]

Hardcore fans of the small weight classes are screwed. If we don't pay how favorite fighters won't get showcase fights and will give the UFC a negative view of them. If we do pay the UFC and heavier fighters profit.

 

[Cheapshart]

Nope. But the UFC would pay their champions more if more people watched. It's very simple:

The more people who will pay to watch you fight, the more money you can demand for fighting. See: McGregor, Conor.

"Fans" who don't buy PPV are useless to fighters. Their "support" is utterly worthless.