Tim Kennedy will be making his UFC debut at the upcoming UFC 162 event, but he isn’t doing himself any favors with his new employer.
Kennedy spoke to Callum Leslie of placetobenation.com, and the former Strikeforce title challenger didn’t hold back on his feelings about the pay situation in the UFC.
“It’s a good thing I have another job because the UFC doesn’t pay very well,” Kennedy said. “It’s pathetic that so many fighters [have to have other jobs]…I’m one of the three percent of guys in the whole entire sport, and it would be slim pickings to survive off what I make in fighting.”
Kennedy also reportedly said he believed he’d be making more as a cop, firefighter, or even a grocery store employee. To prove his point, Kennedy gave a rundown of the expenses for his upcoming bout.
Kennedy revealed that he was due around $55,000 to show up at UFC 162, with the purse potentially increasing to $70,000 with a win bonus—but that after the expenses of his camp, medicals and fight team, he would only pocket around $20,000, even before taxes. After the interview, Kennedy sent a detailed breakdown of how his fight purse would be divided up: 13% on gym fees, 12% for nutrition, 10% to his manager, 10% to his coach, 8% on his camp lodging, 3% for fight medicals and 3% on equipment. In total, that’s 59% of his fight purse before tax is deducted.
The report goes on to discuss how even some champions in the UFC make meager pay, such as Demetrious Johnson making $40,000 and Ronda Rousey, one of MMA‘s biggest stars, failing to clear $100,000 in her title defense.
All of these figures, of course, do not include the off-the-record-type expenses such as sponsorship money and “locker room money.” Those figures, along with what fighters are actually being paid, will always be up for discussion given the fact that the UFC is a private company.
Nearly everyone can identify with the problem of needing two jobs, and with the fact that being a full-time professional mixed martial artist takes up so much of one’s time, I can see where Kennedy is coming from.
Still, it’s not exactly the best way to endear yourself to Dana White and the UFC brass. Kennedy is a relative unknown to many MMA fans and will undoubtedly be on thin ice after making these comments. With the UFC chopping block present at every event, Kennedy could see his name on the list in quick fashion if he doesn’t pick up some wins.
The UFC knew they were getting a fighter who is very outspoken and upfront when they added Kennedy to their roster. Hopefully for the UFC, their guy turns his focus to promoting fights rather than promoting his lack of salary.
Lead image courtesy of fighthubtv.com.
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