The UFC President says that the battle over how much fighters get paid is nothing new to him.
“That’s nothing new,” White said on ESPN First Take (via Milan Ordonez of Bloody Elbow). “That’s been going on for 20 years. Guys are always gonna complain about money. Everybody feels they’re not being paid enough. And if you ask these guys, they’ll tell you they’re the biggest star in the UFC. Well, I can tell you this: the guys who really are the biggest stars in the UFC and the guys that bring in the money are the guys that are being paid. Some of the guys here (know) what a Conor McGregor or a Khabib is making, and they feel they should be making that kind of money, too. Which isn’t the case.”
Jones isn’t the only fighter who has spoken out against fighter pay, as BMF Champion Jorge Masvidal also spoke out against it before reaching a new deal with the UFC.
White says that Jones’ narrative towards fighter pay would change if the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion revealed what he was really paid by the promotion.
“I’ve made it very clear. Ask Jon Jones what he’s made. Ask Jon Jones how much he’s getting paid. See what he tells you,” White said. “And he won’t tell you what he’s getting paid because I think the narrative changes a lot when you find out what Jon Jones makes. But Jon Jones feels he’s underpaid. I’ve said it many times, I think Jon Jones is the GOAT. I think he’s the greatest in the sport within the last however many years, and he just doesn’t make the money that a Conor and a Khabib make. And he doesn’t like that.”
While the UFC does disclose what the fighters base pay is for their fights, such things as discretionary bonuses or other behind the scenes payouts aren’t revealed to the general public.
