UFC legends get stumped after Terence Crawford explains real pay difference between Boxing and MMA

Terence Crawford discusses revenue and disparity in MMA and UFC as compared to top-heavy cultures in pro boxing.

UFC legends get stumped after Terence Crawford explains real pay difference between Boxing and MMA

Terence Crawford gets into the thick of UFC vs. boxing pay debate (Source: X/IMAGO)

Despite boxing and MMA being the two top-tier names in the combat sports spectrum, the pay discrepancy between them remains big enough. When talking about boxing vs. MMA, it’s usually about the pay imbalance more than the skills test. UFC, the pioneer MMA promotion, is now in the smack middle of such talks with its own boxing league coming up.

Terence Crawford recently weighed into the disparity and laid out what’s what. ‘Bud’ recently debated fighter pay on a Pound 4 Pound podcast sit-down with former UFC Champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman. For his part, Usman was okay with the 10k to show and 10k to win payment system and a set-in-stone $50k fight bonus. It is something that so many others are not comfortable with.

For us, we get a lot of flak that, ‘Oh, you guys aren’t getting paid enough,’ but a lot of people don’t understand how simplified it is for us, …You want to fight, this date, this is the paycheck, yes or no? For you guys [in boxing], …have to be responsible for taking care of your manager. Now, the promoter and manager have to work something out, and the promoter then has to go to the network to try and get you that money.

Kamaru Usman via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
YouTube video

Former/current champs and top crops like Sean O’Malley, Islam Makhachev, and Leon Edwards have also spoken about it in the past. Some, like ‘Suga’ have had pivotal help from UFC litigation in bankrolling their lives as a brand value name. But the issue remains for many others, specifically when considering the ginormous disparity with boxing payouts.

Names like ex-WBC lineal Heavyweight Tyson Fury made $50,000,000 plus in a less-than dominant affair during the Saudi GEA Riyadh Season opener. Usman presented that boxing is fruitful for top-heavy names but the rest might suffer just the same with commission payouts. Meanwhile, he billed UFC guys get a fair disbursement.

Terence Crawford took a different stance. Not all top-heavy names in UFC even got a fair shake. Fury’s opponent, debutant Francis Ngannou, said his huge $8 million to fight Jon Jones was reportedly a hush perpetuity clause that made it less than appealing, all-in. Meanwhile, the ten-plus in boxing, and then some, was more than his entire UFC purse. Alongside, Crawford instigated other changes.

Terence Crawford explains boxing payouts

UFC’s new venture with Saudi GEA boxing has shaken the combat sports tree on a big scale. The TKO-powered multi-year partnership league would see $20,000 per pro bout to start. That rises to $50,000 and on, with one getting into the top 4 rankings. The pay structure would be similar to the UFC itself.

Terence Crawford says UFC is already top-heavy and should pay as such
Terence Crawford says UFC is already top-heavy and should pay as such (Source: X)

Terence Crawford iterated that even undercard boxing names make more than one-of-one UFC headliners without detailing the names. To that end, he even dissed the “$50k” fight bonus added-value to do just about anything. Negating host Usman, the undefeated boxer gave into more details.

You show up, you get $50,000. You win, you get another $50,000. You get the Knockout of the Year; you get another $50,000…So once you make it to the UFC, you’re in the big leagues now, …When I make it to the big leagues, when I’m on TV, I’m making more than you making when you come into the UFC. So, you’ve got to compare apples to apples. You can’t say this guy’s first fight in the UFC. Well, what did he do before the UFC?

Terence Crawford via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast

To Crawford’s point, UFC itself is an MMA monopoly and top-heavy by essence. So gimmicks like a starting 10k to show and 10k to win or 20-month, four-fight contractual clauses for signees should not work. He thus asked for a more concrete scaling process.

Henry Cejudo played the peacemaker between the two points. ‘Triple C’ postulated that boxing pays better but is top-heavy without a meaningful grind. He even iterated Crawford’s example of running behind rivals to make meaningful matchups. It is of little consequence, as everyone holds one blimp or another pertaining to the 4-belt era.

Meanwhile, if the undisputed belt or an interim spot is not contended for, it’s a serious issue in UFC cultures. This is a point the boxer readily could get behind.

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