Randy Couture: MAYWEATHER makes more $$ than all UFC fighters...combined

[2-0-Sixx]

My favorite MMA fighter. Do you agree? Are UFC fighters underpaid??

Randy Couture: All UFC Fighters Combined Make Less Than Floyd Mayweather

Posted Apr 29th 2008 12:59PM by Michael David Smith

Filed under: Boxing, Fighting, MMA, MMA/Boxing

Former UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture was a guest on the Opie and Anthony Show with, of all people, Pat Cooper, and he discussed payment for mixed martial arts fighters (Warning, foul language):

(Via MMA Mania) When asked if the money is getting better, Couture said, "I think that's one of the things that needs to change in our sport."

Couture then added that every single UFC fighter combined makes less money for all of the organization's pay-per-view shows than Floyd Mayweather makes for one boxing match. (Mayweather is the second-highest-paid boxer in the world; Oscar De La Hoya is first.)

Couture said he has "no beef" with UFC President Dana White, but he just wants to get paid a fair market value for his work and that won't happen while he's under contract to UFC. I think Couture is basically right that the fighters in UFC aren't paid enough, but I also worry that fighters leaving UFC for greener pastures would be good for their short-term financial gain but bad for the long-term health of the sport.

One other interesting note from the interview: When Cooper asked Couture whether his opponents are ever afraid, Couture said, "Some guys are, you can see that."

 

[thascary1]

well when MMA can draw thousands and thousands of people at $500+ a ticket on top of $60 ppv by the millions....then mma fighters can get paid like mayweather and oscar.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

well when MMA can draw thousands and thousands of people at $500+ a ticket on top of $60 ppv by the millions....then mma fighters can get paid like mayweather and oscar.

UFC has done very well PPV wise. Steady and growing fan-base: UFC always does above 300,000 buys for their PPV events.

2007:

UFC events combined for 4,885,000 views totaling $194.5 million. Boxing did 4,795,000 PPV’s for $239.75 million.

UFC 67 - Silva v. Lutter - 400,000
UFC 68 - Slyvia v. Couture - 540,000
UFC 69 - St. Pierre v. Serra - 400,000
UFC 71 - Liddell v. Jackson II - 675,000
UFC 72 - Franklin v. Okami - 200,000
UFC 73 - Ortiz v. Evans - 425,000
UFC 74 - Couture v. Gonzaga - 520,000
UFC 76 - Liddell v. Jardine - 475,000
UFC 77 - Franklin v. Silva II - 325,000
UFC 78 - Evans v. Bisbing - 325,000
UFC 79 - Liddell v. Silva - 600,000

HBO Boxing - 4,795,000 (total) among main events including:
Mayweather v. Hatton
Cotto v. Mosley
Pacquiao v. Barrera
Hopkins v. Wright
De La Hoya v. Mayweather
Cotto v. Judah

 

[2-0-Sixx]

the UFC is the only org thats making a profit. Others like EliteXC, HDNET, IFL are losing millions

Right, but Couture is speaking specifically about the UFC.

 

[naner12]

It depends on who it is. GSP, IMO, should've got cake for his fight against Matt Serra. Biggest crowd that the UFC has ever pulled in and I can guarantee that's all thanks to GSP. They have a lot of guys on the undercard that complain about how much they make but look at it like this. Let's say Kalib Starnes (because he was complaining about pay) got paid $10,000. Do you think Kalib Starnes puts $10,000 worth of asses in the seats? Do you think Kalib Starnes sells $10,000 worth of PPVs? For the most part he's expenable until he makes an impression or puts himself in position for people to want to see him fight.

I think the fighters that main event should be paid more, especially the champions. When people say boxers make more money it's true for main event fighters but not in all cases.

.. I also don't think ATM that anyone in MMA can make Mayweather/DLH money. There's no one that big right now.

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

I think it is stupid for ANY pro "athlete" to get paid ANYTHING. Getting a salary to basically be in gym class is capatilism at its FINEST.

SMH @ atheletes making more than Doctors, scientists, and especially TEACHERS.

I dont give a fuck what NO one say...being able to seperate conjoined twins > breaking a tackle

 

[2-0-Sixx]

I think it is stupid for ANY pro "athlete" to get paid ANYTHING. Getting a salary to basically be in gym class is capatilism at its FINEST.

What do you mean they shouldn't get paid anything?? These guys, especially fighters (boxing/mma), train very hard their entire lives and risk their lives. it's a job, like anything else and they work hard at it. It's entertainment. Even in communist Russia or Cuba entertainment is valued. Same goes with a painter or a musician, etc.

SMH @ atheletes making more than Doctors, scientists, and especially TEACHERS.

I agree with this though. But the point here is that this is america and if the UFC is ranking in so much cash (almost $200million for PPV's alone last year), why isn't more going to the fighters (workers)?

 

[JReezelle]

I think it is stupid for ANY pro "athlete" to get paid ANYTHING. Getting a salary to basically be in gym class is capatilism at its FINEST.

SMH @ atheletes making more than Doctors, scientists, and especially TEACHERS.

I dont give a fuck what NO one say...being able to seperate conjoined twins > breaking a tackle

it's business dog we don't pay to see doctors do there thing. if people didnt pay to see athletes do what they do trust me they wouldnt be gettin paid. it's entertainment.

 

[MacRyzle]

I think the athletes deserve every single penny they can get. These athletes do all the entertaining for the wealthy team owners who get's the "real money". It's not like these team owners want to pay the athletes top dollar they NEED to in order to keep them and keep the fans entertained. Us fans are the reason why the athletes make that money. We are the ones buying tickets, merchandise, etc.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Found this on yahoo. Related:


Arum suggested MMA fighters take a close look at the revenues being generated and ask why the UFC isn't cutting them in on more.

The UFC has been criticized for how much it pays its fighters, but White keeps salary information as private as he can. Though the contracts submitted to the state athletic commission for top fighters like light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell may show a base pay of $250,000, plus a similar bonus for winning, White said his stars are paid significantly more than that.

To date, few UFC fighters have complained publicly about their pay.

But Arum said it's because they aren't aware of what they're making relative to what Zuffa, the company that owns the UFC, makes.

"They should ask what percentage of revenue from each event he pays them," Arum said. "If you look at the amount and percentage King and I pay, it doesn't compare. His guys get $250,000, if they're lucky. All told, they may get 10, 15 percent of the revenues generated, while boxers get 80.

"When you're talking net revenue, boxers get as much as 92 percent. If I'm promoting a big show and I keep my talent to 92 percent of my net, I'm doing well."

Richard Schaefer, the CEO of De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, agreed with Arum. He said if a boxing promoter only paid the fighters on a card 10 percent of the revenue, it would be front-page news around the world.

He said it is only a matter of time before the athletes in the UFC begin to question their pay.

"What they're paying these athletes is a disgrace," Schaefer said. "The public is coming to see the athletes and they're what make the UFC what it is. It's the athletes, not Dana White. "It's only a matter of time before the athletes figure out that they're being ripped off and demand they be paid more than 10 percent."

 

[heyzel]

it seems like the only people that are complaining about the mma pay are the ones on the outs with the ufc. Like Bj penn saided in a interview a couple of months ago I was to be back in the ufc th

 

[All 4 the Bay]

I'd rather watch a boxing match than a UFC bout.

 

[naner12]

I think it is stupid for ANY pro "athlete" to get paid ANYTHING. Getting a salary to basically be in gym class is capatilism at its FINEST.

SMH @ atheletes making more than Doctors, scientists, and especially TEACHERS.

I dont give a fuck what NO one say...being able to seperate conjoined twins > breaking a tackle

LOL @ to basically be in gym class. If it were that easy to do what pro athletes do most people on here would be one. Shit takes skill and extreme dedication and if people are going to pay to watch them do it then they deserve a cut of the money.

 

[PsyDaL]

I'd rather watch a boxing match than a UFC bout.

Im the exact opposite. Id rather watch any MMa over a boxing match.

I would agree 3 years ago, but since then the pay has doubled sometimes trippled. Before Zuffa bought UFC shit fighters used to almost fight for free. Some fighters wouldnt even get paid cause the cost to put up a UFC event was costly. I dont see why a boxing promoter would debate about money if they out for the same thing promoting sanctioned fighters to make money. I feel that if MMa starts handing 1million dollar fights to fighters its gonna make them more careful in the cage and its gonna be a boring fight or a quick fight ala Mike Tyson. Get the money quick n fast or dont fight, we'll still get paid attitude. MMa is still nowhere near the level of boxing. MMa is still 15yrs young give it 20 more years and many more historical fights then they could question the pay....

 

[Formaldehyde Rx]

In my opinion all athletes should be payed based on performance just like in the PGA..............

 

[naner12]

I would agree 3 years ago, but since then the pay has doubled sometimes trippled. Before Zuffa bought UFC shit fighters used to almost fight for free. Some fighters wouldnt even get paid cause the cost to put up a UFC event was costly. I dont see why a boxing promoter would debate about money if they out for the same thing promoting sanctioned fighters to make money. I feel that if MMa starts handing 1million dollar fights to fighters its gonna make them more careful in the cage and its gonna be a boring fight or a quick fight ala Mike Tyson. Get the money quick n fast or dont fight, we'll still get paid attitude. MMa is still nowhere near the level of boxing. MMa is still 15yrs young give it 20 more years and many more historical fights then they could question the pay....

I seriously disagree with that. The day that happens is the day you're going to start seeing pure mixed martial artists getting into the game. Not guys that came over from another discipline but fighters that started training for MMA rules since they were kids. I also think it'll bring in individual fight training instead of camps like they do in boxing (and like Rampage and Juanito do.) Instead of training with the same guys bringing in high class sparring partners based on your upcoming opponent.

I would much rather see a 15/20/25 minute fight than a quick knockout. When big money starts coming it'll be a great thing for MMA.

.. I like both sports and would love to see both continue to succeed. `

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

For one, its funny that we, as humans, LOVE to see VIOLENCE. This DRIVES capitilism to a whole new level.

I stand by what i said. Do I like football? Yes. Do i like basketball? Yes. But it just goes to show the priorities in the world....athletes gettin paid 10 times what a person who SAVES LIVES does. Do we see the corrolation here?

Sports was MY favorite "subject" in class...now these muthafuckas are gettin paid MILLIONS of dollars for being in a BIG ass gym class. I understand they train...but tha doesnt warrant HUGE paychecks. Doctors go through 10+ years of SCHOOLING to become life savers.

It is what it is...no one can sway my opinion on this and i have felt this way for many years.

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

If it were that easy to do what pro athletes do most people on here would be one. Shit takes skill and extreme dedication and if people are going to pay to watch them do it then they deserve a cut of the money.

And being a surgeon doesnt?

I can go outside and throw a football. I cannot walk into a hospital and perform open heart surgery.

 

[naner12]

And being a surgeon doesnt?

I can go outside and throw a football. I cannot walk into a hospital and perform open heart surgery.

I never disagreed with your statement that it's a shame that doctors and teachers get paid more. I agree 100% but it is what it is. I can also throw a football but I can't play on the level of a professional athlete .. that's the difference.

It is what it is...no one can sway my opinion on this and i have felt this way for many years.

I'm not trying to sway your opinion I'm just saying that it's not easy to be a professional athlete. I can easily strap on gloves and throw punches but there's no doubt I'd get schooled in a professional setting. You can watch amateur bouts and then see a professional and the level of skill difference is remarkable.

 

[Fucky McFuckerson]

I'm not trying to sway your opinion I'm just saying that it's not easy to be a professional athlete. I can easily strap on gloves and throw punches but there's no doubt I'd get schooled in a professional setting. You can watch amateur bouts and then see a professional and the level of skill difference is remarkable.

It is easier to learn how to fight than it is to become a doctor, though.

Going on a diet, exercising and working with a trainer < 10 years of school, countless hours a week for homework and studying, part-time job, and almost no social life