How do low level fighters survive?

[Firestarter101]

Now I was just looking at some stuff on some fighters who werent the most successful yet were famous ie: Gabe Ruediger, and what I found was the guy was making practically nothing all the way to the end, even in the UFC. Last UFC fight was UFC 126 in 2011, the guy got paid 8k. So assuming he pays for training, coaches, manager and taxes he is left with a whopping 4k or something. Now I cant believe this guy is living off of fighting unless he never left his parent's basement.

so what do these low level guys do to make ends?

 

[Skydome]

They coach, have a second job.

Eddie Wineland is a full time firefighter

 

[Cygnus-X]

Work.

 

[Kevza]

Its not THAT hard to have a full time job and train 5 nights per week. I do it....

 

[iwhoopedbatman]

by working

 

[Firestarter101]

now I am from the world of Body Building not fighting so much, and what I can tell you the unsuccessful guys do is either sell drugs, strip, gay for pay male escorting bc very few guys become Jay Cutlers or Ronnie Colemans. So what do unsuccessful fighters do other than rob cash depots ala Lee Murray???

 

[GordoBarraBJJ]

A Job

 

[Firestarter101]

so I ask this...why would a fighter wanna burn his hard earned cash on trying to fight? seems illogical to me. To make 3k per month busting your ass and spending half of it on everything to become a fighter to make 1500 every few months in a fight just seems financially counter productive. I dont see how any wife could stand and watch it...I know my woman wouldnt.

 

[emperor]

The same thing all low level pro athletes (as well as low level actors, musicians, artists, comedians, etc.) do.

They work.

 

[Cygnus-X]

so I ask this...why would a fighter wanna burn his hard earned cash on trying to fight? seems illogical to me. To make 3k per month busting your ass and spending half of it on everything to become a fighter to make 1500 every few months in a fight just seems financially counter productive. I dont see how any wife could stand and watch it...I know my woman wouldnt.

Some people have passion, fire and drive to make their dreams come true.

Other people calculate how much it would cost and let their girlfriend dictate their life.

 

[Striderxdj]

Run gyms, hold seminars, attend low level events and get an appearance fee, private lessons, sponsors, there are plenty of ways to get other income aside from a second job or nefarious means.

 

[Edgar Allan Hoe]

Its not THAT hard to have a full time job and train 5 nights per week. I do it....

You must have an easy job, no family, or just go right to sleep as soon as you get home then.

 

[MrPuppet]

Sell dope

 

[EARLOBE]

You must have an easy job, no family, or just go right to sleep as soon as you get home then.

Either that or he has a lot of drive and a passion for doing something that he loves.

 

[jonvoight's car]

now I am from the world of Body Building not fighting so much, and what I can tell you the unsuccessful guys do is either sell drugs, strip, gay for pay male escorting bc very few guys become Jay Cutlers or Ronnie Colemans. So what do unsuccessful fighters do other than rob cash depots ala Lee Murray???

 

[Firestarter101]

Some people have passion, fire and drive to make their dreams come true.

Other people calculate how much it would cost and let their girlfriend dictate their life.

Understandable...but some people look at the timetable and see that they are mid-late 20s still making peanuts so likely they didnt make it and bow out honorably instead of chasing pipe dreams well into their 30s and 40s.

 

[emperor]

Understandable...but some people look at the timetable and see that they are mid-late 20s still making peanuts so likely they didnt make it and bow out honorably instead of chasing pipe dreams well into their 30s and 40s.

Either that or they love what they do and decide that it's a pretty good supplement to their income to take a fight every now and then while working their day job.

 

[RemoWilliams1a**]

I know a guy who had one pro boxing fight on a decent televised under card.

From that exposure he coached and helped train others in their camps and ended up co owning a gym and doing very well for himself.

When fighters make it to the "show" others want to train with them to gain something from that experience. That is why it is such BS to cry about any fighter having 'camp' costs for a UFC fight as they may fight, at most likely twice a year and pay those costs, where as they could train others in a dozen camps and make that money.

 

[Firestarter101]

Sell dope

well, if you are gonna be a ref, then definitely :icon_lol:

 

[Cygnus-X]

Understandable...but some people look at the timetable and see that they are mid-late 20s still making peanuts so likely they didnt make it and bow out honorably instead of chasing pipe dreams well into their 30s and 40s.

Sure, some people just settle for the mediocre life. Most people do that.

People who have the drive and will to chase something other then mediocrity are rare.