Jake Paul is advocating for higher pay for UFC fighters, calling for an increase in the base pay from $12,500 to $50,000. Discover his arguments and the potential impact on the sport.
Jake Paul, the 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer, is advocating for changes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) regarding fighter pay. In a recent interview on Hot Boxin’ with Mike Tyson, Paul expressed his belief that the base pay for debuting and newer fighters should be increased from the current minimum of $12,500 to at least $50,000.
According to Paul, increasing the base pay would significantly improve the lives of smaller fighters. They would no longer have to work multiple jobs and would be able to afford gym fees and proper nutrition. Paul argues that the UFC, which reportedly makes $3 billion, could easily allocate $20 million per year to raise the fighter minimum.
Paul’s advocacy for higher pay stems from his involvement with former UFC Flyweight prospect Sarah Alpar’s fight camp in 2022. Since then, he has been working with Anderson Silva to establish a union for fighters. While Paul acknowledges the positive impact UFC President Dana White has had on the sport, he believes that the current revenue distribution is unfair to the fighters.
Although Paul is currently under contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and is expected to make his MMA debut in 2024, he is willing to fight in the UFC to bring attention to the issue. He suggests that if fighters were guaranteed at least one fight per year with a $50,000 payout, it would lead to better training, advanced skills, and more exciting fights.
Paul’s call for higher pay has not been well-received by White and the UFC. However, with Paul’s continued success in boxing and his growing influence, he hopes to be a catalyst for change in the sport.
Summary
Jake Paul is advocating for an increase in the base pay for UFC fighters from $12,500 to $50,000. He believes that this change would greatly benefit smaller fighters by allowing them to focus on training and improving their skills. Despite being under contract with the PFL, Paul is willing to fight in the UFC to draw attention to the issue. He argues that the UFC’s current revenue of $3 billion makes it feasible to allocate $20 million per year for higher fighter pay.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Jake Paul calls for an increase in the base pay for UFC fighters to $50,000. |
| He believes this change would improve the lives of smaller fighters. |
| Paul argues that the UFC can afford to allocate $20 million per year for higher fighter pay. |
| Despite being under contract with the PFL, Paul is willing to fight in the UFC to bring attention to the issue. |
| He suggests that guaranteeing fighters at least one fight per year with a $50,000 payout would lead to better training and more exciting fights. |
