By building the UFC into a billion-dollar juggernaut, Dana White & Co. have left an indelible mark on the sport. Despite this, they cannot seem to shake the shadow of criticism over fighter pay. Over the years, several prominent figures in the combat sports world have openly criticized the UFC CEO on this issue. Among them, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul had previously labeled White, who has a net worth of $500 million, as a “selfish capitalist.” Meanwhile, the UFC directs its biggest paychecks to stars like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.
For the rest, the promotion sets the minimum pay at $12,500, forcing many fighters to navigate a financial tightrope by juggling multiple jobs. In response, Jake Paul has publicly urged Dana White to raise the roster minimum to $50,000, arguing that even this “smaller change” could transform lives, helping fighters have better financial stability and allowing their families to survive in today’s challenging economic climate. As the UFC prepares to shed its traditional PPV model, another former UFC fighter shares a glimpse of his own struggles with the promotion.
Ex-UFC star Sergio Pettis reflects on life and challenges inside the UFC
During an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports’ Andrew Whitelaw, former UFC bantamweight and flyweight standout Sergio Pettis, who earlier fought under the UFC banner from 2013 to 2019, and is now preparing to face Magomed Magomedov on PFL Champions Series 2 on October 3, opened up about the harsh realities of life inside the Octagon. When Whitelaw asked, “Do you think fighters get paid enough?“
‘The Phenom’ emphasized the importance of earning your spot. He made it clear that the UFC does not operate like Disneyland, where every wish to earn “great money” magically comes true. He highlighted the financial pressures fighters face within the promotion: “Hey, they got those 50K bonuses. Those guys that are making 12 and 12, obviously, they got to pay their coaches, pay their taxes. At the end of the day, they’re coming home with 16, 15K. And it’s hard to have a lifestyle off of that, especially nowadays.”
In addition, Sergio Pettis pointed out the heavy burden of day-to-day expenses that fighters have to navigate. Given that the United States’ GDP per capita (PPP) is projected to reach approximately $89,105 in 2025, the financial tightrope becomes even more pronounced. His observations ring true, as many fighters continue competing in alternate promotions like Dirty Boxing and BKFC after leaving the UFC, including Eddie Alvarez, Yoel Romero, Chad Mendes, and Frankie Edgar. Although Pettis left the UFC years ago, he is now thriving in PFL.
Similarly, his elder brother, Anthony Pettis, a former lightweight champion, also left the UFC in 2020 for financial reasons. Speaking with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Anthony had said, “That’s the reason this change from UFC to PFL was so easy for me. I’m in a spot where people’s thoughts don’t pay my bills. They don’t know what I’ve gone through, what I’ve put my body through for these fights. When I go home and see the WEC belt and the UFC belt in my house, those things aren’t worth anything [right now]. I can’t go around and say, ‘Hey, I’m the UFC champ.’”
However, after the mounting criticism, in a surprising change, Dana White vowed to increase fighter pay in the UFC.
Dana White pledges pay hike in the future, yet…
When Dana White steps into the negotiation room, he often walks out with the crown jewels. That strategy played out in full force this past August, when the UFC announced a staggering $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, signaling a seismic shift toward a streaming-first era. In the process, the promotion severed its long-standing ties with ESPN and retired the traditional pay-per-view system.
While fans celebrate easier access and lower fees, fighters worry about losing the PPV points that have long padded their purses. After years of criticism over fighter pay, Dana White finally addressed the issue during his recent appearance on 60 Minutes, offering promises while keeping the details deliberately vague.
“I can’t sit here right now and tell you, you know, it’s double, it’s one and a half, it’s triple,” he said. “But fighter pay, it’s gonna be good.” When the interviewer asked whether the UFC pays its athletes fairly, White did not flinch. “Absolutely. People don’t know how much a lot of these guys make,” he said. But when asked about a lack of transparency in comparison with other sports regarding the pay, White simply replied, “We’re different.”
Whether Dana White will deliver on his promise remains uncertain, but the business machinery is already in motion. TKO and White have inked the Paramount deal for their upcoming boxing league, slated to launch next year. What do you think about Sergio Pettis’ admission?