MMA Junkie reports the salaries from WSOF 30 held this past weekend in Las Vegas. The salary information was obtained from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
David Branch was the top earner making $130,000 ($65K/$65K).
Via MMA Junkie:
David Branch: $130,000 (includes $65,000 win bonus)
def. Clifford Starks: $15,000
Jon Fitch: $70,000 (includes $35,000 win bonus)
def. Joao Zeferino: $15,000
Vinny Magalhaes: $14,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus)
def. Jake Heun: $10,000
Abu Azaitar: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus)
def. Danny Davis Jr.: $3,000
Abubakar Nurmagomedov: $7,000 (includes $3,500 win bonus)
def. Matthew Frincu: $4,000
Rex Harris: $3,000 (includes $1,500 win bonus)
def. Clinton Williams: $4,000
Steve Kozola: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus)
def. Matt Church: $1,000
Adam Acquaviva: $4,200 (includes $2,000 win bonus)*
def. Andres Ponce: $800*
Zach Bunnell: $1,000 (includes $500 win bonus)
def. Jeff Roman: $500
Payout Perspective:
Notably, there was a wide range in payouts as Jeff Roman only made $500 in his loss to Zach Bunnell. It was Roman’s 5th pro fight and first in the WSOF. Similarly, Andres Ponce only made $600 (as $200 was forfeited for not making weight) in his 5th pro bout. But, Branch earned 6 figures with his win bonus. Jon Fitch earned $70,000 which was second-most on Saturday night. While the top of the card made reasonable payouts, it’s clear that the WSOF payroll starting out is much less than the UFC or Bellator.
I believe 15% goes to the manager, 15% to the trainer, on top of taxes taken out. I imagine most of these guys have decent local sponsors but in my short time as part of an mma team, I found most of the guys and girls had to be instructors to make living wages….
Not accurate. Most managers are making 10% and some do not even have them anymore.
Most experienced fighters go 10% & 10%. The old school boxing model is 7% & 7% range. Many noob signing fighters are signing 20% plus travel crap/expenses for managers that get them a shot on a big show. The ATT training model is 5% for training++ what ever costs on top, things like per hour private coaching- striking or grappling.
Bellator does this ticket pkg thing where a local figher (unproven earner/performer) MUST sell a set amount of Generals or there is a deduction of purse or even end up costing the fighter a penalty.
DWhite has made it clear in the past that he does NOT consider OTN or Performance $$ in anyway should be payable to a manager on a percentage. He makes this clear in the FIGHTER ONLY pep talks pre fight POST weigh ins (or did in the past).
CRIME PAYS
I would be interested to know the $$ Fitch made at UFC 127 in main event VS BJ Penn. PPV bitepercentage fee? Real UFC money taste?. then things went south for the grinder as far as UFC $$ & being friends w/ the brass?
the MMA world turns
Edi, most of the pros that were on the team i was on were at the 15/15 model, and were in local mma promotions. We only had 1 guy on the level of the UFC. It wouldnt surprise me that the folks at that level have been able to renegotiate. My wrestling and BJJ instructor was 2-0 as a pro and he made his money through a couple of decent sponsors and teaching at Team Tooke, Gracie Barra, private classes, and as a pesonal trainer. The smallest amount of his money came from the fights. Sad.
Wil, that may be local stuff, but it certainly is not the norm for the bigger promotions.
I wish MMA fighters made more money. $500? come on!