‘It’s never going to happen while I’m here’ – Dana White insists UFC fighter pay model will never change despite fan outcry and Jake Paul campaign

Dana White insists he will never bow to public pressure when it comes to improving fighter pay and conditions at the UFC.

The MMA boss has found himself in hot water in recent years and has been accused of mistreating the fighters who help make his UFC business so successful.  

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In 2022, fighter compensation works out at about 19 to 20 per cent according to , who claim that number has been consistent for 11 years in MMA’s premier promotion.

British UFC star Paddy Pimblett shocked fight fans earlier this year when he revealed his pay was just £9,000, before performance-related bonuses.

However, this is not uncommon as base pay for a UFC athlete is £9,000 to show and £9,000 to win and this is something that doesn’t sit right with a lot of people.

YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul has been more vocal than most on the issue of UFC fighter pay and expressed his belief that everyone on the roster should earn a minimum of $50,000 (£41,000) per fight, get 50 per cent of UFC’s profits, and long-term healthcare from the company.

White claims the UFC fighter pay model will never change as long as he’s around, as it is fair and prevents the sport he helped build from becoming corrupted by greed.

“Listen, there aren’t too many things you can talk s*** about the UFC about, if you look at what we’ve done with the business in the last 22 years, it’s incredible, never been done, ever,” he told .

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“The things we’ve done in the fight business, you always have to have something to b**** about, I guess.

"Fighters always want to make more money. Boxing has been absolutely destroyed because of money and all the things that go on.

"It’s never going to happen while I’m here. Believe me, these guys get paid what they’re supposed to get paid, they eat what they kill.

White may have to rethink his fighter pay stance in the near future, with several of his big stars looking outside of the UFC for big paydays.

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Nate Diaz is set to leave the company after his fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279 next month.

The MMA icon is excited about the prospect of exploring what promises to be a lucrative free agency market and a possible fight with ‘The Problem Child’

Meanwhile, UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou could soon leave the company after it was revealed his contract, which was worth $600,000 (£495,000) per fight, has expired.

‘The Predator’ insists he will only re-sign with the UFC if they allow him to take mega-money boxing fights with the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.