The information UFC fighters have been waiting for is in.
UFC bantamweight Cody Gibson tweeted a screenshot of an e-mail sent to fighters Wednesday, explaining how much they will be paid through the organization’s uniform deal with Reebok. UFC senior vice president of public relations Dave Sholler confirmed the figures to MMAFighting.com.
Fighters who have between one and five fights in the UFC will make just $2,500 per fight under the tiered system. Fighters with six to 10 UFC bouts will make $5,000; 11 to 15 will get fighters $10,000; 16 to 20 fights earns $15,000; and 21 bouts and up gets a fighter $20,000. Title challengers will make $30,000 and champions will pull in $40,000.
The UFC’s contract with Reebok is worth $70 million over six years. Fighters cannot wear any of their own sponsors inside the Octagon, during fight week or as part of any UFC-related event.
The e-mail sent to fighters, which was obtained by MMAFighting.com, reads that athletes will get their compensation within 10 business days following a bout. As previously announced, Strikeforce and WEC fights under the Zuffa banner will also count toward athlete’s tenure.
Aside from the tiered structure, UFC fighters will also get a percentage of money made from sales of merchandise with their name and/or likeness. That percentage will be determined based on the terms of their UFC merchandise rights agreement, according to the e-mail.
The UFC’s Reebok deal will take effect beginning International Fight Week on July 7.
“The above outlined compensation structure will result in UFC distributing the vast majority of the revenue generated through the AOP directly to the athletes,” the e-mail states. “We continue to believe the introduction of the official outfitting kits for our athletes is a beneficial investment, which will elevate and create long-term value for you, the UFC brand and the sport.”