Dana White scoffs at UFC fighter pay compared to WNBA players making $270K minimum: ‘That’s ridiculous’
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- UFC president Dana White dismisses comparisons between UFC fighter pay and WNBA salaries, emphasizing that UFC fighters must prove their worth before earning higher guaranteed pay.
- WNBA players now have a minimum salary of $270,000 per year under a new collective bargaining agreement, while UFC newcomers often start with $12,000 to show and $12,000 to win per fight.
- White highlights that UFC fighter pay has increased annually and expects further rises in 2026 following the league's $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, though some fighters feel changes have been slow.
- The UFC has introduced new bonuses, including a $25,000 finish bonus and increased post-fight awards, but these bonuses are discretionary and not guaranteed for all fighters.
- Unlike UFC's tiered pay structure, Jake Paul's MMA promotion offered flat fees with a $40,000 minimum, but White indicates the UFC is unlikely to adopt such a model for entry-level fighters.