MMA Junkie reports that the Professional Fighters Association (PFA) have set hard numbers and 10 goals to its vision of creating a union for the UFC contracted fighters. Among the 10 goals is the step-up in pay with fighters making a minimum of $25,000 to show and $25,000 to win.
Lower-tier fighters in the UFC receive between $8,000 to $12,000 to show and the same for winning. In Bellator, that amount is lower.
In addition, PFA would push for comprehensive health insurance for a fighter and his or her family. The UFC does provide accident insurance that come with high deductibles. However, these coverages do not cover basic health coverage and coverage that would extend to their immediate family.
Also, the PFA would push for an experience-based pension system which would start at $75,000 a year with 20 fights in the UFC and could up to $150,000 with 30 fights in the company. The pension would start at age 65 and be paid for life.
Payout Perspective:
The association’s goals are outlined in the Junkie article but the biggest goal of increasing fighter pay has been something that fighters have wanted for years. The increase would cut into the company revenues although it has been receiving much more in a revenue split as opposed to leagues that collectively bargain. Other issues like health insurance and pensions would make provide general health and welfare benefits to the fighters; something that has not happened in this sport. Outlining these objectives are of importance for fighters that are not sure about signing on for PFA to bargain on their behalf. If the PFA can obtain the requisite number of fighter signatures to hold an election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). If they receive a majority vote in favor of a union, the PFA could collectively bargain with the UFC. Are these objectives attainable or just aspirations?
Don’t sound too bad. Would Ufc get tax breaks? Pension is high, the average American pension is not $75k per year.
They have to gradually build to 50/50. I think 30/70 for the first cba sounds more reasonable.
Every single UFC fighters receive at least $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win, happened after the Reebok deal.
There is probably less than 30 fighters who have had 30 UFC fights in the companies history, Diego Sanchez has been fighting for over 10 years and he’s only had 25 fights.
No wonder why they sold, this is not good for ufc.
They could just have less fights per card and take the bonuses away, that’s $200,000 per card on paper, who knows what they get in other bonuses.
Yeah as Cutch pointed out, the minimums are 10k/10k per fight for the lowest paid fighters with a $2,500 payment from Reebok in sponsorship per card.
I doubt the union ever goes through, it doesn’t seem too practical.
Sounds excelent for the fighters, good luck to them, its only their careers and professions…..