The UFC has risen to become a global titan in the world of mixed martial arts, raking in millions each year and putting on some of the most unforgettable events the sport has ever seen. Don’t believe us? Well, just look back at last year when the promotion shattered records and made history with its groundbreaking UFC 306 at ‘The Sphere’, pulling in an astonishing $22 million in live gate. It wasn’t just the biggest gate in UFC history—it also marked the highest revenue ever generated at the Sphere, setting a new standard for combat sports events. Yet, behind the glitz and glory, a long-standing issue continues to stir debate: Fighter pay!

Despite the organization’s massive success, numerous athletes, including some of its biggest stars, have openly criticized the UFC for what they view as unfair and insufficient compensation for the risks they take and the entertainment they provide. For newcomers, the standard pay ranges from $12,000 to $14,000 just to show up, with a matching bonus if they secure a win. But once expenses like coaching fees, gym costs, travel, and medical bills are taken out, what’s left is often a mere sliver of their original earnings.

Some of the biggest stars of the sport have also come out and shared their opinion on the whole. Just a couple of years ago, Alexandre Pantoja was struggling financially as he wanted to shift his family to the US soil. He has been quite vocal about his past working for Uber Eats, and in an interview with Ariel Helwani, the 125lbs kingpin said, “When my family was back, the money was short, and my wife started to clean houses, and I started to drive for Uber. But I’d do this again if I need … This is about my kids, my two boys.”

His statement proves that elite fighters are also not paid enough to take care of their family. Voicing his opinion on the same was former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman during his ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast. Alongside Henry Cejudo, the pair invited former 170lbs kingpin Robbie Lawler for a candid chat. However, during the conversation, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ shared his opinion on how little the UFC fighters are paid and pointed out how he once confronted UFC CEO Dana White.

He said, “And the big thing, too, now that I see, is especially because the sport is so mainstream right now. You know I always say, and I’ve said this to Dana and Hunter, too. I say our notoriety doesn’t match our paycheck. Does not match our wallets at all. And so with the sport being so mainstream right now and so big, it makes it really it’s like an added pressure when you’re competing, especially when you’re the headliner in these cards, and you are competing, it’s for a belt and things like that.” 

Fighter pay has always been a contentious topic in combat sports, and recent events have brought the issue back into the spotlight. In the wake of a major antitrust lawsuit, UFC CEO Dana White and the organization were ordered to pay out $375 million to more than 1,000 plaintiffs in the Le. vs Zuffa case

The lawsuit originally involved around 1,200 plaintiffs who were pursuing a multibillion-dollar settlement. However, after lengthy negotiations, a deal was struck, with the UFC’s parent company, TKO Group, stepping in to finalize the resolution and put an end to the legal battle. One fighter who will now benefit from it is Brendan Schaub, and he knows the exact timeline of when he will receive the money.

Brendan Schaub is surprised by the payout time of the UFC’s antitrust lawsuit

The roots of the lawsuit trace back to 2014, when a group of fighters—including Cung Le, Nate Quarry, and Jon Fitch—took legal action against the UFC’s former parent company, Zuffa LLC. They accused the promotion of suppressing fighter wages and stifling competition by using restrictive business practices. One of the key complaints was the use of exclusive, long-term contracts that prevented athletes from pursuing opportunities with rival organizations.

The case gained renewed attention in 2020 when a judge granted class-action status, allowing fighters who competed in the UFC between 2010 and 2017 to become part of the legal challenge. Brendan Schaub, who competed in the UFC from 2009 to 2014, is also eligible to get the compensation, but is surprised by the timeline of getting it. During the episode no. 1066 of The Fighter and The Kid podcast, the former UFC heavyweight fighter shared his honest opinion on the whole.

He said, “Did I tell you this? Daddy’s getting a cheque from the UFC? Did we talk about this, the antitrust lawsuit? The lawyer called me. He’s like, ‘You’re on the list.’ I was on it so long ago. I forgot about it. He goes, ‘They settled.’ I go, ‘Congrats, what do I get the money in like 10 years when I’m fuc—g old and gray? He goes, ‘No, July [2025].”

Given how much time had already passed, it’s not surprising that someone like Brendan Schaub might assume it would take even longer. What do you feel about the fighter pay situation in the UFC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.