So, how much money SHOULD a Nam Phan/Sean McCorkle type fighter earn?

People think every boxer who straps on a pair of 10oz gloves is a millionaire. Most lower level fighters on friday night fights or guys on undercards don't make much either.

 

10,000 should be the base rate. chuck in win and finish bonuses and most fighters are signed to deals so that gives them a bare minimum of around 30 grand a year. not bad for something theyd probably still be doing anyway.

 

I'd rather see the creation of a pension scheme before we increase fighter pay.

 

If you're signed to the UFC you should be making enough for it to be your sole source of income.

Assuming 2 fights a year, I think rusty nailed it (see what I did there?). $8,000-10,000 to show in two fights is $16,000-20,000 a year. Add to that win bonuses, finish bonuses any other performance bonuses, etc. and you'll definitely be on a livable income. Let alone any supplements you can add to that through sponsorship, seminars and other appearances, etc. and you'll be on a very comfortable income.

 

That's no where near a liveable income once you factor in the cut their manager takes, taxes and actually paying to have a training camp.

And I'd imagine most fighters are already earning $8,000 per fight (once locker room bonus was factored in).

 

Assuming you're winning. Should've added that in as well.

 

managers generally have deals set up where they only take a cut of the money they bring to the fighter. Also very few fighters have 'training camps' at the semi pro level.

 

Simple answer....enough to pay everyone in his camp a decent salary and after that enough money to be able to live.

 

The state should provide each MMA fighter with a minimum wage pegged to entry level investment bankers, a pot with chickens in it, and a minor political sinecure (e.g. city council level and below in rural areas).

 

The managers and staff take about 10 % of the fighters income but what rusty nail said sounds good

 

These lower level guys earn what they are worth imo.When you add in their sponsorship money and the doors that being a UFC fighter open then they are doing quite well for the skills they have.

 

So how much do you think they should pay guys like Mccorke per fight ? Give us a ballpark figure.

 

how the **** should I know ?

One of the thing I always really wanted to know is how much training cost.

Training partner, striking coach, wrestling coach, JJ coach, conditioning guy, etc...

Once I know that then I'll be able to answer !

If you want a really straight answer then...

A fighter should be paid X to be able to pay for is training camp and everything related to it and Y to be able to have a decent living.

And having a decent living always depend on the point of view. Decent living is without a mercedes and **** like that. But you can own a car, pay for a house within an acceptable amount of time. You should be able to have a familly. If you are doing well then go for the luxury...but luxury is still luxury. It's not because your job is getting fight once every 2, 3 or 4 month that you necessairilyhave a lifestyle above everyone else.

 

It depends how much you fight.

For the entry level guys, if you fight 2 - 3 times a year, you should be able to make a decent living without having to work an additional job. It's different for each fighter depending where he is in life, but I would say a good starting point would be something like this. . .

First fight 14k to fight 10k to win
Second fight 16k to fight 12k to win
Third fight 18k to fight 14k to win

Some points.

1. I don't think that UFC should pay for training camps, etc. The lower fighters are pretty much all on the same playing field. None of them probably have professional trainers. If they start to win, then they can afford them when they get more money.

2. Paying the low guys a better wage does not take that much effort for the UFC, and would probably get rid of a lot of the criticism. If the UFC can pay GSP 3-4 million dollars a fight or cut a bonus check of 1 million dollars like Lorenzo said in his interview, then they can afford to pay the lower guys better. Not a lot better, but 6k and 6k is too low.

3. Does the UFC really need 350 fighters? The UFC should consider trimming the roster down a bit to 250. This would allow the lower payed fighters, most of whom are young and healthy, the chance to fight 3-4 times per year if they wanted to, like McCorkle suggested. If a fighter fought 4 times per year and won, he would get over 100k. He would also get name recognition faster, which would draw more fans to that fighter. It would also allow the UFC to pay those 250 fighters a bit more, than the 350 they have now.