MMA vs. boxing—which pay structure is better? It’s a question that has sparked debate across the combat sports world for years. UFC icon Conor McGregor once put the spotlight on the issue when he said, “If you’re asking would I like to fight Floyd Mayweather, I mean, who would not like to dance around the ring for $180 million?” The remark highlighted the stark pay gap between the two sports, a reality even MMA’s top earners, including the Irishman himself, have acknowledged, adding another layer of drama to the discussion.

The debate resurfaced last month when UFC CEO Dana White weighed in while promoting the Canelo vs. Crawford boxing showdown. At the time, White dismissed the idea of a pay gap between MMA and boxing, calling it “total bulls**,” and emphasized that his promotion pays fighters based on their popularity, pointing to stars like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. However, just weeks later, White’s comments found backing from grappler and MMA standout Gabi Garcia, who, in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, shared her perspective on the ongoing debate.

Gabi Garcia dismisses boxing vs. MMA pay debate: “Entertainment does matter”

Standing at an imposing 6’2″, Gabi Garcia has established herself as one of the most extraordinary figures in women’s MMA. Across a career spanning more than a decade, she has explored multiple areas of combat sports, giving her unique insight into the pay structures across different disciplines. The IBJJF legend recently made headlines with her latest signing with Fight Circus for the upcoming ,’Sabotage’ MMA event on October 17th, marking her much-anticipated return to the sport.

In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports’ Andrew Whitelaw in Las Vegas, the 39-year-old discussed her future plans and offered “advice” for aspiring fighters. ‘Gabi’ revealed, “You know, like, let me give you advice, for you guys: if you can carry boxing with MMA, it’s a huge difference. The payment—I don’t know, the growth, complain for payment—but I can’t complain. I received good money. Why? Because I show people what they want to see. Entertainment does matter. Whether you are champion or not, your medals don’t bring you peace.”

Over the course of her career, Gabi Garcia has built a legacy that is nothing short of extraordinary. She cemented her place among the all-time great female black belts, highlighted in 2019 when the Brazilian became the first woman to win four ADCC gold medals in submission grappling. However, her journey has not been without controversy. Some of her MMA bouts drew criticism for size mismatches, including fights against male grapplers like Craig Jones.

Nevertheless, Gabi Garcia’s imposing physique and larger-than-life presence continue to draw fans to see her compete, whether in MMA or jiu-jitsu grappling events. She currently holds an undefeated MMA record of 6-0. In addition, during the same interview, ‘Gabi’ shared insights into her retirement plans, giving fans a rare glimpse into the next chapter of her career.

When is ‘Gabi’ planning to retire from MMA?

Already a standout name in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gabi Garcia made her MMA debut through The Ultimate Fighter Brazil, where she also served as a guest coach for Wanderlei Silva. However, a series of canceled bouts on the Japanese circuit delayed her first official MMA fight. The wait ended in December 2015, when the Brazilian made her long-anticipated debut, defeating Lei’D Tapa via first-round technical knockout and handing Tapa her MMA debut loss.

Following that impressive start, Garcia continued to dominate her opponents, including competing in shootboxing events. She currently holds an undefeated MMA record of 6-0, with one no-contest, though she has been away from MMA since 2018.

After a seven-year hiatus, Gabi Garcia is set to return next month under the Fight Circus promotion, which has already confirmed several MMA veterans on the roster, including Matt Brown. Discussing her retirement plans with Andrew Whitelaw, Garcia shared her intentions: “You know, from my head—like in the interview. But right now, I like to come back to Dream Heart, and maybe April will be my last fight in MMA. Maybe I’ll do one more, like, for entertainment, because I’m loving this right now.”

Where do you think this comeback leaves Gabi Garcia in the world of combat sports? Has the IBJJF Hall of Famer already cemented her legacy in MMA, or is there more to come? Share your thoughts below.