A recent revelation of PFL fighter purses has sparked outrage among fans as they discover shockingly low numbers. While the UFC has faced criticism for its own pay structure, the disclosed fighter pay in PFL has drawn comparisons, leading fans to defend Dana White and the UFC as the better choice.

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Fighter pay has long been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny on the part of fans. Lately, comparisons were made between WWE and UFC fighters. Now, it is the turn of PFL vs. UFC and fans are not too pleased with the PFL numbers.

Dana White finds fan support in light of PFL’s shocking fighter pay numbers

The original details were posted on Twitter by Jed I. Goodman and later shared on Reddit where the community was shocked at what they were seeing.

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Fans on Reddit expressed their disappointment and frustration with PFL’s low fighter pay, highlighting several concerning cases.

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One fan pointed out that even established fighters like Magomedkerimov and Sy, the reigning WW champ, were on 50/50 contracts.

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Is Conor McGregor the Highest-Paid UFC Fighter? What Is His Highest Payday?

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Other fans pointed out the hypocrisy within the community:

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Fans highlighted fighters who were receiving lower pay.

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Fans were also pointing out journalists like Ariel Helwani for their silence on the issue:

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Some highlight the disparity between risk and reward for MMA

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And the UFC also found its defenders in the comment:

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Dana, PFL, and the MMA fighter pay issue

While Dana White and the UFC have faced criticism in the past, they seem to have regained some favor among fans due to the recent revelations about PFL’s pay structure. Sporting bodies and even Jake Paul himself have called out White and the UFC for alleged mistreatment of fighters in regard to their pay. Paul even releasing a diss-track against Dana White in the past. 

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Dana White

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MMA fighters are currently pushing for the extension of the Ali Act to cover all combat sports participants. Interest in this matter fluctuates over time. The UFC has consistently opposed this movement at every stage.

Back in 2000, lawmakers passed the Ali Act, which does not specifically forbid a promotion from also serving as a sanctioning body. This law includes strict regulations on contracts and ancillary rights agreements, which differ from the UFC’s existing protocols.

While the UFC has faced its own share of scrutiny, the revelations have prompted fans to view the promotion in a more favorable light.

The MMA world engages in ongoing discussions about fighter pay, and it remains uncertain how the situation will progress and whether stakeholders will take steps to improve fighter compensation and promote fairness.

Watch This Story: UFC President Dana White Gifts $250,000 Worth Green Lamborghini Huracan To UFC Champion Aljamain Sterling 

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Dushyant Patni

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Dushyant Patni is a Senior UFC Writer at EssentiallySports, bringing over eight years of diverse writing experience and a Master’s in English Literature to the fight game. For the past two years, he has been a key figure at the ES Fight Night Desk, covering live MMA action with a sharp eye for subtle in-round details that often escape casual viewers. A lifelong combat sports enthusiast, Dushyant’s passion spans boxing, Bruce Lee’s martial arts philosophy, PRIDE FC’s golden era, and modern-day UFC. This unique blend of old-school fight culture and contemporary analysis enables him to connect with both hardcore MMA purists and new-generation fans. His journalistic depth was recognized when his breakdown of Conor McGregor’s ‘Sweet Love’ venture earned a public nod from The Notorious himself. Before joining EssentiallySports, Dushyant built a versatile content portfolio, writing for pop culture platforms, authoring educational books for children, crafting audience-driven web content for major clients, and even working as a teacher. This multifaceted background fuels his narrative-driven fight coverage, where every match is not just a contest, but a story worth telling.

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