‘The Best Fighter Does Not Put the Most A***s in the Seat’- Joe Rogan Gives His Verdict on Fighter Pay Issues in the UFC
Follow Us
via Getty
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 20: Joe Rogan is seen in the commentary booth during the UFC 220 event at TD Garden on January 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The issue of fighter pay in the UFC is a topic that has been hotly debated for a while now. Dana White and his team have received a lot of flak for reports that they give out 10% of their revenue to their athletes as compared to the NBA and NFL that give out 50% and 48% respectively.
This has been an issue that the UFC has come under scrutiny for multiple times. Most recently, the UFC was under fire after Cheyanne Buys revealed her financial situation going into her fight. Fans and pundits alike began bashing the UFC for underpaying the fighters to an extent that they had to take out loans just to meet their day-to-day needs.
Joe Rogan, in a recent episode of his podcast, shared his thoughts on Buys’ situation and fighter pay in the UFC. He said, “You know she was, crying and all these people got online and they started complaining about the UFC. I see everybody’s point. I see their point and I also see the UFC’s point. Because a lot of people don’t know who she is yet….. The whole thing about this sport is how many people are going to watch you fight. How exciting are you? How engaging are you?Your personality, and do you put a**es in the seat?”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rogan continued, “It is clear now that who are the people that put the a**es int he seats. And those are the people that get the most money….. It’s a complicated thing for people. They think the best fighters should make the most money. But the best fighter does not put the most a**es in the seat…. It’s a weird sport it’s prizefighting, but it is also entertainment.”
Does Joe Rogan make a good point regarding UFC fighter pay?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Rogan makes a good point that the best fighters are not necessarily the fighters that sell the most seats. Nate Diaz is a perfect example of the same. Diaz is 2-3 in his last five fights. However, every time Diaz fights, he commands the attention of the entire MMA community.
This isn't a feel-good story; here's the percentage of revenue given to athletes by each league:
MLB = 54%
NBA = 50%
NHL = 50%
NFL = 48%
—————
UFC = 16%The UFC is in the middle of a 5-year, $1.5 billion deal with ESPN. https://t.co/KfcB1Ri3p8
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 1, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Trending
“He Cannot Push Me” – Islam Makhachev Exposed 6-Time Wrestling Champ Jordan Burroughs in Front of Daniel Cormier Last Year
April 22, 2024 09:38 AM EDT
Violently Threatening Conor McGregor Takes a Bad Turn for 50 Cent as UFC World Condemns Rapper After Beef Resurfaces
April 23, 2024 01:53 PM EDT
“Bubble Gut From High HGH Abuse” – Joe Rogan’s Dire Health Concern Flares Up as Fans Worry About UFC Commentator
April 16, 2024 05:03 AM EDT
Is Ian Garry vs. Colby Covington Confirmed at Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 Card? Fans React After Leaked Rumors
April 24, 2024 08:02 PM EDT
UFC 304 Manchester Card’s Disappointing News Leaves Pros & Fans Upset Over Rumored Tom Aspinall, Leon Edwards’ Event
April 24, 2024 09:20 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
This translates to mega paydays for the Stockton native. However, Demetrious Johnson, who is without a doubt one of the best fighters ever, was never able to successfully sell PPVs. Which meant that he did not get paid as well as some of the other champions.
‘I Knock Him Out in The Third Round’- Michael Chandler Makes a Bold Prediction for the Justin Gaethje Fight
Written by:
