Comments on: Eighteen UFC Fighters Making Million+

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:11:57 +0000

I know that at least two guys that have the same agent get the same percentage. I don’t remember what Randy Couture got exactly, but these guys have a sliding scale where they get more money as the buys go up.

By: Brain Smasher

Brain Smasher — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:46:29 +0000

Agree but those numbers come from people outside Zuffa who have that info. Contract info is privy to Zuffa and the fighter and neither are talking. I have never heard anyone other than Randys cut % or anyone elses cut PPV % pay to say there isnt fighters who get a different %. So i dont see how anyone can say there is only one PPV %. There is nothing to base that on.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:41:58 +0000

Brain,

Regarding ppv buyrates: The estimates out there is generally solid. For example: When the Couture numbers came out, they were about the same as the estimates from Dave Meltzer.

By: Eighteen UFC Fighters make more than a million a year - Page 10 - Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Forums

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:35:00 +0000

[...] Posted by MatParker116 Eighteen UFC Fighters Making Million+ : MMAPayout.com: The Business of MMA Most make hundreds of thousands newbies make $50-75,000 The funny thing is, other sports [...]

By: Brain Smasher

Brain Smasher — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:23:37 +0000

Those are a lot of assumptions based on the info leaked during Randy Gate. THe PPV cut could be different per fighter and we would never know. I dont know what makes you so sure. MMAPayout wrote about Anderson and others wanting to piggyback Lesnars would be year end fight. If it happened would it be fair for Silva to get the same pay as Brock who brought everyone in? Of course not. So as you can see there is problems and reason to think it could have been addressed.

Randy gate is the only solid info we have. The rest is rumors and speculation from fans and media. Heck we dont even know PPV buys let alone how much people get of them.

By: RICK

RICK — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:02:56 +0000

I for one believe that shit. Man you think these guys would put up with all this crap if it was not for some good money! Go for it guys make your millions. I know i support ya with ordering LEGALLY all the ppvs and buying MMA stuff all the time. FTW i make over 75, 000 dollars a year, i can afford it! Enjoy and support your families!!
And i dont fight, i work at a hospital, I dont care i Am still wearing the Tapout, WEC, UFC gear and clothes!

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:54:17 +0000

MMA Guru,

Pretty much all of the above guys get a cut of the PPV. A few are speculation, but most are confirmed through public comments or ones made privately.

Most regular headliners get a cut at this point. It has become a standard part of the main eventer contracts. Even guys like Huerta and Hendo have been asking for it.

By: mma guru

mma guru — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:35:48 +0000

It’s not that hard to imagine at lest 18 guys making 1 million over a year (he did not say per event). Dana usually says it like it is. With the bonuses and other monies these top stars get with 2-3 fights per year a million is very attainable. I don’t however think all the fighters listed above are getting PPV cuts. Possibly guys that hold the titles, after they renegotiate, but definitely not guaranteed. I would expect that Randy, Chuck and Tito were somewhat of exceptions to get the PPV cut. Maybe Brock, BJ and GSP have been added to the list as for the rest they are probably on a per event basis.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:15:58 +0000

Brain,

The ppv scale is pretty much the same for all of them. The bigger draws get more because those shows do better. Randy got an extra million for the Sylvia and GG fights as each did 500-550k buys. He made well over two million for the Lesnar fight because of the increased buyrates.

Nobody is getting pref treatment. If you draw, you make a ton. If not, you don’t. That is why Anderson Silva has been picky about his fights in the last year. The Forrest bout made him more than ever before and actually made him more than many previous years overall.

Regarding Wandy, I know he has some at least some of his fights. I would not be shocked if there are clauses that state you only get a cut if you are headlining or co-headlining. But I am all but certain that a loss does nothing to that money. They want guys going all out, not playing it safe to secure the money.

By: Brain Smasher

Brain Smasher — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:36:45 +0000

OK i misunderstood jeremy. I still dont think Wandy gets a cut. I know Franklin didnt before this current contract. Not sure now. It is also important to note that Randy was on the biggest PPVs and his share was only about 1 million for each PPV. Some of these guys dont have Randy Couture value. So there is a good chance they got a smaller % cut. Add to that they are not drawing in the PPV numbers Randy was. That puts their PPV cut MUCH lower than the 1 mill per Randy was getting. I also read somewhere the UFC added clauses that may take PPV cuts from some fighters under X circiumstance. Like if you lose, are not a main/co-main event, etc.

I am very skeptical that there are 18 who make the 1 million a year and that includes all their income not just from the UFC.