Dana White disagrees with UFC pay raises notion despite protests

Dana White, UFC president, declared that he would not raise the wages of his athletes, despite past protests from individuals both inside and outside the sport. Check out the top new sports betting sites.

The subject of fighter wage has long been a contentious one in MMA. In recent months, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul has brought the topic to public attention.

Paul’s criticisms of White and his campaign to increase fighter pay in the UFC have gained him almost as much notoriety as his accomplishments in the boxing ring.

Paul hasn’t yet participated in a formal contest of any kind against a professional boxer, but his exhibition matches against Tyron Woodley, Nate Robinson, and Ben Askren have generated a lot of pay-per-view fights.

Check out the top sportsbooks for betting on the UFC

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

White repeated in the GQ interview that he thought UFC fighters are paid more fairly and that he thinks well-known boxers are overpaid.

White also claimed that fighters always want more money, but that the UFC’s fighters “get paid what they’re supposed to get paid.”

“Boxing has absolutely been destroyed, because of money and all the things that go on,” White said. “It’s never gonna happen while I’m here. Believe me, these guys get paid what they’re supposed to get paid. They eat what they kill.

“They get a percentage of the pay-per-view buys. And the money is spread out amongst all the fighters.”

Compared to other major sports, the UFC pays its athletes 20 percent of the total revenue generated by the activity. Nearly half of the league’s revenue is split with the players in leagues including the NBA, NFL, and MLB.

This unequal revenue distribution caused a group of former UFC competitors to sue the organization for antitrust violations back in 2014.

In 2020, the case was upgraded to a class action one. It has also caused some of the greatest names in the sport to look into alternatives outside of the UFC and the mixed martial arts community.