“It’s Terrible”- Joe Rogan Compares UFC and Boxer Pay

UFC fighters’ pay issue is a hot topic among the MMA community members. While many have expressed their concern, Joe Rogan has long been an employee of the UFC and stands to gain by lending a sympathetic ear.

The issue sparked a huge debate, especially after YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul started to take shots at UFC President Dana White every chance he got. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou also voiced his opinion on the matter, mainly during his ongoing contract dispute with the promotion.

And now, longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan offered his take on the issue in a conversation with Aljamain Sterling.

“When people think there’s a lot more money in boxing, there definitely is a lot of money in boxing at the top, top level. But like, dudes who just are fighting in the beginning, they don’t get paid anything. It’s terrible. It’s not like, the UFC. If you make it into the UFC, at least, there’s like a minimum.” Rogan said.

 

UFC bantamweight champion Sterling agrees with Rogan. ‘The Funkmaster’ then spoke about his experience with promotions and their pay standards, adding that many fighters don’t end up enjoying most of their money.

Rogan further said, “But at a certain point, then it comes to the argument, ‘well boxing has more money for its champions. And if that, I mean, what is the like, what did Gervonta get for that knockout on Saturday night?”

Gervonta Davis reportedly earned $2 million from his last Saturday KO win over Rolly Romero. With the additional percentage of the PPV point, the estimate is conservative.

Joe Rogan tries to be neutral and to look at it from both sides.

“But there’s also fighters that agree to certain deals. They agree to like, an 8-fight deal at X amount per fight, and then they become more popular and then they want to renegotiate their deal, and the UFC is like, ‘Look, we’re just trying to stay open. We’re not going to renegotiate anything. You can take it or you can leave it, but this is what it is.’ I think it’s a matter of that.”