Former UFC Fighter Brings Attention to Earnings Transparency
Recently, a former UFC fighter stirred up a conversation on social media by sharing his payslip, aiming to highlight the often-overlooked realities of fighter earnings. John Makdessi, a veteran with an impressive 20 fights in the UFC, parted ways with the organization following his defeat to Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 293 in September 2023.
The matchup was closely contested and ended in a unanimous decision favoring Mullarkey. The judges scored the fight 29-28, sealing Makdessi’s fate with the promotion. In the aftermath of his last appearance in the octagon, Makdessi took to social media to disclose his earnings, revealing a gross show purse of $58,000.00.
However, the reality of fighter pay set in after significant deductions. With taxes totaling $26,100.00, which included a steep 45% foreign tax, Makdessi’s net take-home pay came down to $28,461.65. His payslip also detailed other deductions for medical expenses, airfare, and miscellaneous charges, leading him to voice his frustrations regarding the financial strain these deductions imposed.
Despite these challenges, Makdessi’s journey in the UFC has been remarkable. He made his debut as an undefeated fighter at UFC 124 back in December 2010. Throughout his career, he faced many notable opponents, boasting victories against fighters such as Sam Stout, Daron Cruickshank, and Ross Pearson.
The topic of fighter compensation in the UFC has garnered significant attention recently, with advocates like Jake Paul calling for increased minimum pay for athletes. Paul has proposed a baseline pay of $50,000 for UFC fighters, highlighting how such improvements could greatly enhance their quality of life and allow them to focus more on their craft without the burden of financial stress.
As the conversation surrounding fighter pay evolves, Makdessi’s candidness about his earnings serves as a crucial reminder of the financial hurdles many athletes in the sport face. By bringing his payslip to light, Makdessi has ignited discussions about the urgent need for fair compensation and greater support for fighters who commit their lives to this demanding sport.
