Dustin Poirier has earned the status of one of the biggest stars in MMA right now. While he isn’t as commercially known as stars like Conor McGregor, he is one of the best Lightweight fighters in the world and wants his salary to represent his value.

Dustin’s fight with Tony Ferguson fell apart due to differences in pay. However, Dustin doesn’t seem too happy with how involved fans have gotten in the conversation.

Dustin said, “I don’t know why in Mixed Martial Arts, fans are so concerned with fighters’ money and contract. There is so much money counting, it doesn’t matter. You don’t just watch the fighter, you watch the fight. If it works out for me, if I don’t like the contract, if things don’t make sense, I won’t fight. But none of that matters, we’re fighting you know.”

Fighter pay has been a massive issue widely discussed by fans after fighters like Jorge Masvidal and Jon Jones pointed it out earlier this year. Even Poirier was unsatisfied with the money offered to fight Ferguson, and he is well aware of how he can control his situation.

Dustin Poirier and conversations about fighter pay

Fans are naturally going to be concerned about fighters’ pay. However, some are looking to gossip and others are genuinely worried. The UFC has been attacked multiple times for underpaying fighters at the bottom of the card. Many young fighters end up dropping out of the sport due to its financial unsustainability at the lower levels.

Considering how boxing superstars get paid, many top stars in the UFC also have gripes about money. But when you hear stories like Demetrious Johnson, Dominick Cruz, and others fighting for world titles and still working their day jobs, it gives a clearer picture.

Obviously, Poirier will be handsomely compensated for the Conor fight. After all, it is against Conor McGregor. However, the conversation is as active as it is because fans are genuinely concerned about the scaling of fighter pay in the modern MMA market.