As MMA industry sputters, UFC 153’s Jon Fitch and others find financial struggles

Jon Fitch returns to the cage at Saturday’s UFC 153 event, and from a financial standpoint, it can’t some soon enough.

Slowed by injuries, he’s competed just twice in the past 20 months, and he didn’t get his win bonus in either.

But he’s not just …

Jon Fitch returns to the cage at Saturday’s UFC 153 event, and from a financial standpoint, it can’t some soon enough.

Slowed by injuries, he’s competed just twice in the past 20 months, and he didn’t get his win bonus in either.

But he’s not just losing money there. As MMA’s TV ratings decline, attendance and gate figures slide, and major events get canceled, Fitch said it’s becoming harder for fighters to make money outside the cage.