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https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...francis-ngannou-fight-on-oct-28-may-hurt-ufc?
Fight with Tyson Fury paying 16 times more than last UFC bout
His shift to boxing may push other fighters to leave UFC
Mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou is in the final week of training for his first professional boxing match that will reportedly pay him $10 million, which is 16 times more than his most recent MMA bout.
While experiencing a boom in popularity, MMA’s top fighters still can’t match the payouts of boxers. One big reason is that boxing is a much older sport with a lucrative business model in place. And while MMA fighters are under contract with a promotion or league, boxers act as their own business entities. That gives them more power when negotiating fights and advertising deals.
“Most fighters are barely able to make a living,” Ngannou said. They’re “living paycheck to paycheck.”
The deal also gave Ngannou a minority stake in the league. That adds to a growing portfolio that includes ownership of a professional soccer team in his native Cameroon. He’s also interested in purchasing a piece of a Major League Soccer team.
UFC fighters have applauded the deal, with UFC hall-of-famer Daniel Cormier saying it “set a new standard.”
MMA athletes have already pushed back against their employers. The UFC is currently in the midst of an antitrust lawsuit filed in 2020 by former fighters that alleges unfair business practices and seeks up to $1.6 billion in damages. Ultimately, Ngannou would like to see fighters unionize, but doubts it will happen.
“Until there is a law or government officials [get involved], there is not a way that a union can happen,” Ngannou said. “Fighters have minimal power.”
It's over for the UFC
Fight with Tyson Fury paying 16 times more than last UFC bout
His shift to boxing may push other fighters to leave UFC
Mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou is in the final week of training for his first professional boxing match that will reportedly pay him $10 million, which is 16 times more than his most recent MMA bout.
While experiencing a boom in popularity, MMA’s top fighters still can’t match the payouts of boxers. One big reason is that boxing is a much older sport with a lucrative business model in place. And while MMA fighters are under contract with a promotion or league, boxers act as their own business entities. That gives them more power when negotiating fights and advertising deals.
“Most fighters are barely able to make a living,” Ngannou said. They’re “living paycheck to paycheck.”
The deal also gave Ngannou a minority stake in the league. That adds to a growing portfolio that includes ownership of a professional soccer team in his native Cameroon. He’s also interested in purchasing a piece of a Major League Soccer team.
UFC fighters have applauded the deal, with UFC hall-of-famer Daniel Cormier saying it “set a new standard.”
MMA athletes have already pushed back against their employers. The UFC is currently in the midst of an antitrust lawsuit filed in 2020 by former fighters that alleges unfair business practices and seeks up to $1.6 billion in damages. Ultimately, Ngannou would like to see fighters unionize, but doubts it will happen.
“Until there is a law or government officials [get involved], there is not a way that a union can happen,” Ngannou said. “Fighters have minimal power.”
It's over for the UFC
