What benefits do UFC fighters get?

[Fioretti]

Could you explain those numbers to me. From the articles I’ve read 66% of the fighters make less than 45k a year. And the huge hole in your argument is you’re not calculating the cost of a training camp. An 8 week camp costs on average 12-15k. Does every fighter spend this much no? Do some spend way more? Yes. These are real costs and when you factor in manager fees at 20% and gym fees at 10-15%, you can’t say that those fighters are actually making 6 figures. Write offs aren’t gonna make a huge difference. A regular “employee” doesn’t have to spend money to do his job, fighters do.

“On average, UFC fighters took home $132K in ’17, but that figure is misleading; while Georges St. Pierre took home $2.5 million, 41% of the promotion’s fighters took home less than the average U.S. household income ($45K) and nearly 25% made less than $25,000 (131/537).”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/dec/06/chuck-liddell-ufc-mma-tito-ortiz

https://thesportsdaily.com/2019/12/30/2019-ufc-fighter-salaries-complete-list-fox11/

That was the most recent article I found on the subject when I did a quick search earlier. The numbers are from 2019, and it says 36% made $100k+, with 37% making $45k or less. That leaves 27% making $45-99.9k, and 63% making $46k+ (higher than the average American worker). The article and numbers you posted are from 2017, showing 41% of the roster making $45k or less, so that number dropped 4% in 2 years. An improvement at least, and it still includes every fighter under $45k win/show who only fought once and lost in that year.

However, @rjmbrd pointed out that those numbers may not be 100% legit, and could be including bonuses.

Write-offs reduce your taxable income and make a giant difference, especially when you have high expenses, in how much you pay in taxes. In fact, they could be the single determining factor in whether you owe taxes or get a refund. Fighters aren't "employees", they're independent contractors, and EVERY SINGLE independent contractor (millions of people) have to spend money to do their job, as well as every business owner. As an independent contractor, you're essentially a business owner.

 

[Dreyga Hates You Sherbums]

Too bad the UFC isn’t as “reasonable” as you as it relates to Tim Sylvia. He broke his arm in a fight, 10-15 years later he needs another surgery and the UFC flatly refused to pay for it.

That case isn’t exactly black and white Tim Sylvia went a fought for 13 different organizations during the ten years that he left the company.

 

[campbecc]

Where’s the proof that the ufc is obligated to pay their medical bills for injuries sustained during the fight? EVERYTHING I have seen so far says the UFC usually pays for these bills but they do not have to. It’s not their responsibility. That’s why I quoted the liability waiver.

are you being serious? The actual rule stated on the official site is not enough proof?

 

[RoxyBird]

There's an apparent 30-day window for them to claim a fight-related injury they would cover.

 

[rjmbrd]

https://thesportsdaily.com/2019/12/30/2019-ufc-fighter-salaries-complete-list-fox11/

However, @rjmbrd pointed out that those numbers may not be 100% legit, and could be including bonuses.

Those numbers are zero percent accurate. They specify the purse payouts for fighters in 2019 who did not fight under a commission that releases official purse data (like NSAC and CSAC).

It is a blog post and means literally nothing at best, intentionally inaccurate at worst.

 

[Fioretti]

Those numbers are zero percent accurate. They specify the purse payouts for fighters in 2019 who did not fight under a commission that releases official purse data (like NSAC and CSAC).

It is a blog post and means literally nothing at best, intentionally inaccurate at worst.

Where can we get the real numbers for purse payouts?

 

[oldmansmoker]

Brendan Schuab has took care of more fighters than his eskimo brother.

 

[markys00]

Lol ufc has created so many millionaires yet sherdoggers will still complain about things. I know a middle of the pack ufc fighter, and trust me, anyone of us would kill to have his life. It used to be, OMG a ufc champion.. now all it takes is being a ufc fighter and u can take in thousands per day

 

[bdstwin]

Can we stop making daily threads about this? It's getting a little weird. Fighters choose to fight in the promotion, choose to fight for a living. They can fight somewhere else or choose another profession if they aren't happy.

 

[Maripucci]

An opportunity to be part of a pllatform that allows you to build your brand. If you're a star you can get paid here. If not you take your fan base elsewhere and monitize it.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Free UFC Fight Pass subscription.

I think I read they actually have to pay for that

 

[g*r*b]

I think I read they actually have to pay for that

My understanding was that when they stopped providing film for analyzing in fight camps, they substituted giving fighters subscriptions to Fight Pass. At least they were doing it when Jeff Hughes was signed up to the UFC, I remember an interview with him where he mentioned getting it for free now. But if they cheapened out of doing even that since then, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[realdmone1]

ALL I DID WAS READ THE TITLE, um excuse me. I aplogize for shouting. What i was saying is that all i did was read the title, and wanted to fight you.

 

[GordoBarraBJJ]

An opportunity

 

[PokerGod23]

Too bad the UFC isn’t as “reasonable” as you as it relates to Tim Sylvia. He broke his arm in a fight, 10-15 years later he needs another surgery and the UFC flatly refused to pay for it.

I actually clearly stated in another post that I think the UFC SHOULD provide lifetime insurance for injuries occurred during training or fighting. So it would cover precisely this. I'm well aware that the UFC doesn't.

That doesn't mean that they're completely unreasonable as a Corporation. You'd be hard pressed to find many employers in the US or even abroad, that will offer lifetime insurance to people who are no longer employed by the company, regardless of industry. Its one area I think they could improve.

 

[PokerGod23]

Where’s the proof that the ufc is obligated to pay their medical bills for injuries sustained during the fight? EVERYTHING I have seen so far says the UFC usually pays for these bills but they do not have to. It’s not their responsibility. That’s why I quoted the liability waiver.

I'm presuming it would be in a fighters contract, which would then make it a legal obligation.

 

[Swoliosis]

Talked shit about it but covered up the code so she could use it lmao

 

[Rod Farva]

Free brain damage