‘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.  

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.