Arman Tsarukyan Weighs In on UFC Fighter Pay: "Gotta Be Paid More"

Arman Tsarukyan has candidly expressed his views on the contentious issue of fighter compensation within the UFC, a topic that has drawn significant criticism from numerous athletes and veterans. Despite the UFC's substantial seven-year, $7.7 billion media-rights agreement with Paramount, many fighters, including high-profile names like Justin Gaethje and Colby Covington, have reported that their earnings remain stagnant, still tied to older contracts.

Earlier this year, Jon Jones publicly accused Dana White and the UFC brass of "lowballing" him, leading to his withdrawal from a planned event. Ronda Rousey has also joined the chorus, highlighting that most fighters on the UFC roster struggle financially, often resorting to supplementary employment to make ends meet. The lack of unity among fighters in demanding better pay, according to some, stems from the satisfaction of champions and major stars with their current deals, while surging contenders, lower-ranked fighters, and newcomers bear the brunt of insufficient compensation.

During a recent discussion with Ryan Garcia, Arman Tsarukyan drew a comparison between UFC fighter salaries and boxing purses, asserting that mixed martial arts athletes are deserving of more substantial paydays. However, he noted an interesting disparity: while top-tier boxers command significantly higher earnings than even UFC champions, lesser-known UFC fighters often secure better pay than rising boxing contenders. "Of course, MMA fighters gotta be paid more," Tsarukyan stated. "Medium fighters get paid more than most boxers. For example, stars like you [Garcia] get paid maybe five times more than a UFC champion. But if there is a medium fighter who’s top-10 or top-12, he/she gets paid more than boxing guys. In boxing, only the big names get paid."

The Armenian fighter also revealed that the Paramount deal has already led to an increase in his own pay and that of other UFC athletes. He views this as a positive shift, indicating that better times are ahead, although he believes a significant overhaul in compensation will take a few more years. "They already started paying more because of the new Paramount deal. Now they are changing all deals [contracts]. Guys are getting more money, and even me," he explained. "So they signed my contract and the other guys; the champions get more pay. The [champs] who got paid $2 million are now getting paid $4 million. But still, it’s not the same money as boxing. I think in 3-4 years it’s gonna change. It cannot stay like this. If you’re a UFC champion and you defend your title, you gotta make $10 million at least."

Tsarukyan emphasized the critical need for higher fighter earnings, explaining that a significant portion of their purse goes towards supporting their coaches, training camps, and entire teams, making smaller payouts unsustainable.

UFC President Dana White has previously indicated that all individuals on the UFC's payroll are slated to receive increased compensation in the future, suggesting a positive trajectory for financial growth within the sport.