Narrative that boxers make greater than UFC fighters is a ‘fairy tale’ in line with leading commissioner

The disparity between what boxers and UFC fighters make has been an enormous talking point in recent times.

Mike Tyson said that that is why he would’ve never fought within the UFC, because he was all the time motivated by making essentially the most money possible.

The conversation surrounding whether the leading MMA promotion is financially compensating their athletes enough has been an enormous topic for a few years.

It has been spoken about repeatedly as a result of the criticism regarding Dana White’s plans to enter boxing and whether the changes he desires to make could have a negative impact on the game.

A one that is one in every of the highest commissioners in america recently stated that the premise for this discussion simply isn’t true to start with.

Photo by Ed Mulholland/TKO Worldwide LLC via Getty Images

Andy Foster denies the concept boxers make greater than UFC fighters having seen the numbers

In August, the UFC announced their recent $7.7 billion US broadcast cope with Paramount that can begin in 2026.

It didn’t take long before this news began one other conversation about fighter pay, which the likes of Jake Paul have been critical of the UFC over up to now.

Dana White has said that the brand new deal will result in a rise in fighter pay, but the manager director of the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has stated that there isn’t an enormous disparity between what UFC fighters make in comparison with boxers in the primary place.

Andy Foster, who has worn multiple hats in MMA as a former fighter and promoter, recently said on The Ariel Helwani Show that this narrative isn’t true.

He claims that apart from the very top names in boxing, who’re the best earners by some margin, the pay difference isn’t substantial, as is usually made out.

“Absent the very elite [Terence] Crawford and Canelo [Alvarez’s], there’s just a few, absent that, the concept boxers at the moment are making quite a bit greater than MMA fighters, or UFC fighters particularly, that is fake. That could be a fairy tale. It’s a fable that’s being told and it’s being told and told and told. It’s not true. It’s just not true, I’ve got the numbers.”

Andy Foster was also asked concerning the revenue split between boxing and MMA

In response to his comments concerning the disparity between boxing and MMA (the UFC particularly), Andy Foster was asked about whether there may be a spot with regard to the revenue share.

It has been argued that whatever the fighter pay comparison, boxers still earn rather more of the general revenue that an event generates in comparison with members of the UFC roster.

“If you’re talking concerning the promotion aspect of it, it costs money to advertise the athletes,” Foster responded. “That group in Las Vegas, the UFC, we’re talking about Zuffa Boxing or the UFC, they’re excellent at promoting. They will promote their athletes. They will take those who nobody has ever heard of and make them stars, that’s what they do.”

Dana White at UFC 297 Press Conference
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Foster also stated that while there was some extent where boxers likely made greater than UFC fighters, the MMA leader’s purses have constantly risen over the past eight years, even without the additions of bonuses.

While the CSAC executive director said that he didn’t know for certain concerning the overall revenue split without taking a look at the published numbers, he’s still confident that UFC fighters aren’t out earned by boxers.


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