UFC fighter pay is, once again, a topic of discussion. Chris Eubank Jr. isn't a fan.
The former boxing champion and 36-fight veteran is an MMA fan and said on a recent episode of "The MMA Hour" that fighter pay needs work for the sport to continue to evolve.
"It’s just entertaining,” Eubank said. "I like everything about the UFC except how Dana's monopolized it and how those guys aren’t getting paid anywhere near as much as we’re making in boxing. But that’s the only downside to the sport, in my opinion.”
Eubank's remarks aren't anything new, as several former MMA fighters have also come forward with similar feelings toward how the promotion does business, leading to a class-action lawsuit.
Eubank said fighters are left in a tough position regarding higher purses, leaving very few means of competition for those who leave the UFC altogether. Former UFC heavyweight champion-turned-boxer Francis Ngannou is a prime example.
“It’s impossible [to get paid fairly],” Eubanks said. “In the UFC you have a guy who has monopolized the entire MMA world. If you don’t accept what Dana’s giving you, goodbye. Find somewhere else to go. A perfect example is Ngannou. In boxing, you have promoters all over the world, you have associations ... all these different outfits of fighting for the best fighters, the best shows, they’re all like, ‘Come with us and we’ll pay you this.’ The competition is so huge that they’re always going to pay fighters more, whereas Dana doesn’t have to compete with anybody so he can pay you whatever he wants. In terms of business, he’s cracked it."
Currently, the UFC holds the top spot as MMA's largest fight promotion, though the news of the PFL-Bellator merger could change the sport's direction in the years to follow.
For now, fighter pay remains an evident issue in today's landscape.
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