In January 2012, when ESPN took a look at fighter pay in the UFC, we didn’t speak with a fighter on the promotion’s roster at the time who was willing to be identified while discussing money and fighting in the Octagon.
I can tell you this: From a reporter’s perspective, it would have made a difference to the perception of the piece had a fighter gone on record, as Tim Kennedy did recently. Speaking to the GrappleTalk podcast, Kennedy claimed if he won and earned $70,000, he’d pocket around $20,000, before taxes. Kennedy broke down where his money went, to whom, and how much.
For anyone unfamiliar with the idea that fighters in the UFC are independent contractors who come out of pocket for training camps -- trainers, sparring partners, massage therapists (if you're lucky) all need to get paid -- the thought of $70,000 actually being $20,000 must seem crazy. And this is Kennedy's main point: You have to be nuts to do this, because the economics aren't favorable, even for quality fighters such as him.
In May, John Cholish and Jacob Volkmann separately voiced displeasure with the UFC pay scale after they were released from Zuffa. Should we take their words and label them disgruntled UFC washouts? Dana White did. Or should a trickling stream lead one to believe there's a larger pool of aggravation out there?
Based on what fighters told us under the condition of anonymity last year, and what they're beginning to air in public with names attached, it's safe to say the issue lingers.
It should be noted that not all the money talk is aimed negatively at the UFC. Chris Camozzi took his fellow UFC fighters to task for accepting lowball offers from sponsors.
"Fighters and managers want to talk about how unionizing the sport is what’s needed," Camozzi wrote on his blog in March. "Truth is they are just being lazy and want rules and third parties to set a baseline that they should be working to increase at every opportunity. What product has been commoditized faster than the UFC athlete sponsorship?
"Everyone [complains] about fighter pay, yet if it wasn’t for the pay from the promotion fighters would be broke. Yet the sponsors depend on us fans. The UFC built the popularity, built the platform and allows us to sell ourselves from the platform.
"We have a lot to be proud of, the UFC is a HUGE platform that exudes value. Just say no and watch the sponsors pay more. I did. I will take the first stand. I left money on the table, money I need. I did it for you, will you do it for me? Stop lowering the bar, these brands need to be in these events. They paid five to seven figures for PERMISSION to advertise on us, shouldn’t the ads be worth more? If permission is worth $15,000 per fighter than the actual ad is worth what?"
So is it a trend? I'm inclined to say it's too soon to know whether a trickle will become a flood. Nonetheless, it's clear more fighters are speaking openly about their money than they ever have before.