Why are UFC fighters paid so little relative to boxers?

No. Because MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), the sport that was invented and is promoted by the UFC, is relatively new compared to boxing, since boxing has been around for more than 100 years, while MMA has been around for a little more than 20 years. read more

All these answers are incorrect! The reason UFC fighters are paid so little compared to boxers is because boxers are protected under the Ali Act. MMA fighters are not protected under the Ali Act. read more

Fighters are paid based on how big a draw they are and how good a fighter they are. Top fighters in the UFC make $500,000 a fight. Chuck Liddell made that much. Brock Lesnar is in the $400,000 range. Some also get a portion of PPV sales as well. The fighters in the UFC making $25,000 a fight are up and comers. read more

On paper, the top boxers often earn more than the top UFC fighters mainly because they are linked into the promotion not just an employee. They are taking a cut of the total earnings, not just a purse. For the fighters lower down the card, the UFC fighters are making more than the boxers. read more

For the fighters lower down the card, the UFC fighters are making more than the boxers. And for the fighters at the bottom of the card or in minor events, they are making a pittance. Now beyond the paper, what you are not seeing is that the top UFC fighters are also taking a cut of the PPV. read more

The total payout for UFC 157 was $1,173,300 and what you can see from looking at all the numbers is that in the big show, winning the bout helps pad a fighter's pocketbook: $217,000 was paid out in bonus money for victory, not including bonuses for Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night or Submission of the Night—and of that bonus money, $92,000 went to the undercard. read more