Ahead of this much-anticipated showdown in Vancouver, which could potentially set the tone for the middleweight division, we thought of taking a closer look at some details of UFC staff pay. The event boasts a host of exciting bouts that promise to give spectators at Rogers Arena and millions watching via livestream an edge-of-the-seat experience. Attention will also turn to the panel of commentators, who will provide blow-by-blow coverage from cageside and oversee pre-fight events and other segments. For a change, Joe Rogan and Jon Anik will not be in the booth. Instead, the trio of Daniel Cormier, Brendan Fitzgerald, and former lightweight fighter Paul Felder will handle commentary.

In the stacked middleweight division, if there’s anyone who can hand Khamzat Chimaev his first professional loss, it has to be Reinier de Ridder, as Gilbert Burns recently said. The proof will be in the fight itself. So to see if Burns’ statement holds any weight, fans should keep an eye on UFC Fight Night 262, or, alternatively, UFC Vancouver, where de Ridder will headline the card alongside Brendan Allen.

Daniel Cormier’s UFC commentary earnings breakdown

It’s been nearly a decade since Cormier began his new career as a commentator. The 46-year-old, who dazzled fans as both light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, made his debut as a color commentator at UFC Fight Night 96 while still actively defending his light heavyweight title. Commentary became a regular role after he retired from fighting in 2020.

The former two-weight champion’s net worth stands at approximately $6 million. And it includes income from commentary, brand endorsements, and other media appearances. So, considering his tenure and popularity, the MMA icon is expected to earn a handsome payout for his cageside services. Though unconfirmed, Daniel Cormier appears to make around $50,000 per event.

By comparison, this seems somewhat close to his colleague Joe Rogan, who reportedly receives $75,000 per show.

Paul Felder’s role and salary insights

According to MMA Salaries, Paul Felder‘s net worth is estimated at $1-2 million, with the lion’s share coming from his fighting career. Boasting a record of 23 professional bouts, his tenure in UFC saw the retired fighter receive a base salary that ranged from $8,000 in his debut to $82,000 for his last two fights against Dan Hooker and Rafael Dos Anjos in 2020. Thus, he likely earned over $1 million from fights alone.

Regarding his media career, Felder, like Cormier, retired in 2020 but began commentary in 2017. He made his PPV commentary debut a year later at UFC 230 in Madison Square Garden. The former lightweight contender now appears to earn around $48,000 per event as a UFC color commentator.

Broader UFC staff salary context

To gauge where the payouts for star commentators like Joe Rogan, Michael Bisping, Daniel Cormier, or Paul Felder stand, it helps to look at the UFC’s overall staff salary structure. Outlets like Glassdoor shed some light on pay across different levels.

For instance, an intern’s salary ranges from $32,000 to $57,000 per year, while managerial roles increase to $62,000–$106,000 annually. At the top of the hierarchy, some vice presidents reportedly earn between $59,000 and $272,000 per year.

Final thoughts

The details shared above just provide a snapshot of the UFC’s current salary structure. Figures may not be definitive, as they can vary due to multiple factors. So fans should exercise caution before drawing conclusions.

For now, audiences can look forward to engaging commentary from Daniel Cormier and Paul Felder, who will take over on October 18.