Jake Paul looks on after defeating AnEsonGib in a first round knockout during their fight at Meridian at Island Gardens on January 30, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jake Paul has been pretty vocal about UFC fighters not getting paid fairly
UFC fighters being underpaid has been a hot topic since time immemorial. And more recently, YouTuber Jake Paul has fanned the flames, which has resulted in the debate gaining more traction than it usually does.
Following his face-off against Tyron Woodley, Paul spoke to Showtime Sports and addressed the fighters’ payment dispute that has been existing forever. Paul spoke in support of the MMA fighters, claiming that they are paid the least out of all the sports.
‘The Problem Child’ then addressed the Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones situation. He urged UFC President Dana White to pay them both $10 million and make that fight happen.
“There’s a movement, moving forward that is gonna show that fighters should be getting paid more. It’s unfair. The UFC fighters don’t have fair pay. Out of all the sports, the percentage that the owners get versus the athlete, they’re the lowest. Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones, that fight should happen. Dana White, pay them the $10 million. He’s taking their money. They’re the ones making the content. They’re the ones getting in the ring, risking their life.”
Paul also cited the example of Chris Weidman having a life-threatening leg injury at UFC 261.
Before concluding his concerned oration, Paul fired expletives at Dana White saying, “So f**k that sh*t. F**k Dana White.”
Paul’s comments had gained widespread support from a truckload of members from the MMA community. Though the issue has been ever-persistent, coming from a social media behemoth like Paul has blown up the issue.
Even Kamaru Usman who fired umpteen shots at Paul for his disrespectful callouts, liked a post from MMA Fighting which had Paul’s statement about the payment issue.
Fighters are ready to die inside the octagon. They risk their lives, family and everything before stepping inside the ring.
Barring a handful of stars like Conor McGregor, the rest are paid very little in comparison to other sports.
McGregor topped the recent Forbes List of World’s Highest Paid Athletes 2021. On taking a closer took, he was able to top the list only because of his off-court earnings. His UFC earnings were nowhere close when compared to what second-placed Footballer Lionel Messi had earned.
It is high time that UFC pay their fighters at least something that is remotely close to other sports’ wages.
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