Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: MMA, UFC, Dana White
Ben McCrum
The lowest UFC fight purses of all time were revealed after details of a lawsuit were uncovered online.
On Saturday night, popular UFC star Alex Pereira lost his light heavyweight championship belt to Magomed Ankalaev by decision in a competitive bout in the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
Although the exact numbers aren't yet known, it is estimated that the former champion will have earned between $3million and $3.5million (£2.3m-£2.7m) for the fight, while the challenger likely earned around $750,000 (£580,680).
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However, such big payouts weren't always handed out in the UFC, as a series of leaked payslips have shown just how small some of the fight payouts used to be.
While the likes of Conor McGregor, Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov will have earned breathtaking amounts throughout their UFC careers, those fighting at the bottom of cards that aren't pay-per-view earn significantly less.
This is particularly apparent during the early days of the premier MMA organisation, with some fighters earning less that $9,000 to lay it all on the line.
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Details from a 2023 lawsuit revolving around UFC pay were reportedly obtained by journalists working for Bloody Elbow, and while fighters are not named, some of it is truly shocking.
2011: $4,000 – One fighter earned the smallest payout in the history of the UFC in just their third UFC fight. Three debuting fighters in that same year got paid $6,000, with the most common figure $9,000. Former interim lightweight champ Dustin Poirier debuted that year on a $4000/$4000 contract.
2012: $6,000 – Two fighters in their second UFC bouts received this amount in 2012, along with another debutant. Three other debutants were paid $8,000 but the most common pay for the first-timers was $9,000.
2013: $8,000 – Ten years after the UFC was founded, four debutants and two on their second fight in the organisation were paid this sum.
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2014: $8,000 – The same can be said a year on with another four fighters receiving the payment in 2014.
2015: $6,400 – For the third year running, four debutants got $8,000 compared to 15 who took home $10,000. A single fighter made $6,400 on their first appearance.
2016: The most frequent payment, received by 21 fighters, was $12,000 on their respective debuts. $10,000 was given to five other debutants, and two on their second outing.
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Some fighters have even taken to social media following their fights to make their feelings about pay known, with John Makdessi, who fought 20 times for the UFC, just one example.
Shortly after the Canadian decided to disclose his payslip from UFC 293 on social media, he was released by the MMA company.