Dana just set the sport way back

RR010V

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This might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard Dana say, what better way to scare off potential talent and high level athletes than by saying that fighting in the UFC isn't a career? Not only that but alot of fighters are complaining about the paycheck (Jones, Masvidal, etc.) What did Dana expect to happen after this? Fights like lawler vs macdonald probably took years off Rory's "career" and he reportedly only got payed $50,000.
 
I know if I was an up and coming fighter I'd sign with another org, bellator etc
They pay as well and you get your sponsors. Look to be treated better too. I'd only transition to the UFC If I become a decent draw/ top fighter and had bargaining power.
 
Maybe he just meant corona, it's an opportunity right now.
Things are being taken out of proportion.
Thinking that a single dumb interview out of thousands takes the sport back is nonsense.
Aint happening
 
For the majoirty of MMA fighters it's barely a career. Those new to the UFC do need to see it as an opportunity. Can't stand Dana but I get what he's saying.

EDIT: if Dana is referring to veteran / established UFC fighters, then it does seem an excuse to deflect from paying them fairly.
 
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Yeah I would probably sign with some other organisation. Im sure they would keep me hanging around for 50 years and pay me salary the whole time no matter how crappy fighter I would be...

By trying to diss Dana some of you morons just made your self look like idiots. He is 100% accurate in his statement.
 
Well, this is just another case of Dana just making shit up, to try to make his side look good. After 7 years of fighting in the UFC and being at the top in rankings and draws, this isn't just an "opportunity" anymore. Now it's time for business on equal terms.
 
Dunno what were Dana's intensions, but effective message is that he doesn't mind solid level guys being part time fighters, lol.
 
its not a profession, its an opportunity to get your face smashed in or get your opponents smashed in without being legally responsible. It looks like this is sport for psychopaths who want to hurt or get hurt only, not make money.

Well noticed TS!
 
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MMA is similar to many sports, including boxing, bowling, skiing, skating, and even golf. It is a tough career choice and only the top guys/girls make any real money. Lots of guys play for years on the fringe of the PGA tour and scrape by.

Some interesting facts regarding UFC pay, all from 2018:
  • According to the business insider, only 19 out of 21,000 professional fighters manage to make millions of dollars
  • In 2018, the annual salary of the UFC fighter was around $138,000 ($68,000 median income) which is a lot more compared to the $45,000 yearly salary of the average full-time worker in the US
    • However, over 37% of UFC fighters (around 213) were paid less than the average American worker
  • What’s more, only 187 UFC fighters were able to secure six-figure salaries
Bottom line is that making a living in most sports is difficult and MMA is no different. So yes, Dana was correct, it is a difficult career choice.
 
MMA is similar to many sports, including boxing, bowling, skiing, skating, and even golf. It is a tough career choice and only the top guys/girls make any real money. Lots of guys play for years on the fringe of the PGA tour and scrape by.

Some interesting facts regarding UFC pay, all from 2018:
  • According to the business insider, only 19 out of 21,000 professional fighters manage to make millions of dollars
  • In 2018, the annual salary of the UFC fighter was around $138,000 ($68,000 median income) which is a lot more compared to the $45,000 yearly salary of the average full-time worker in the US
    • However, over 37% of UFC fighters (around 213) were paid less than the average American worker
  • What’s more, only 187 UFC fighters were able to secure six-figure salaries
Bottom line is that making a living in most sports is difficult and MMA is no different. So yes, Dana was correct, it is a difficult career choice.
believe me, many on here would feel better if the ufc cut half the roster, and that half saw their pay decrease 50%, if the remaining fighters average pay went up materially. that would make them feel better. pro-fighter and all........

they will argue they water down cards, they have no talent, they don't want to watch them fight, and they are underpaid......
 
The entire structure of the UFC is meant to fuck over the fighters. The sponsorship money is garbage unless you have like 20 fights in the UFC, and it still isn't good. The UFC knows statistically a tiny tiny percentage of fighters will ever make it to 20 fights. The UFC designed the system so that the average sponsorship payout across the board is probably about 5k. This means more money for them.

Secondly the contracts are designed to always pay you what you were worth and never what you are worth. If you sign a 5 fight contract, and you blow up in popularity, you will never reap the rewards of that until your next contract. If you're suddenly a huge star and you're on a 15/15k contract, you're shit out of luck. The UFC benefits from your stardom, but you don't until your contract expires.

If you try to renegotiate your contract, the UFC will try and fuck you over by offering you shitty fights, or offering you fights while they know you're injured and cant accept, so they can extend your contract an extra 6 months and shelve you. Once you're starving you will be forced to accept anything they offer you.
 
If other mma companies can get there shit together he might rethink the statement. Until then he will do whatever he wants.
 
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