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UFC veteran Sam Alvey claims fighters get paid ‘Way more than we deserve’: ‘They’re paying us more than fair’

Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight Sam Alvey doesn’t think fighter pay is much of a problem. Alvey fought…

Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight Sam Alvey doesn’t think fighter pay is much of a problem.

Alvey fought in the UFC from 2014 until 2023 and went 10-13-1 in the promotion, but ended his tenure going 0-8-1. Despite his struggles, the UFC kept him around, which he is thankful for as he knows the promotion pays fighters more than they deserve.

Sam Alvey UFC 2 — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“The UFC pays us way more than we deserve,” Sam Alvey told Ultimate Punching (via MMAFighting). “You have some of the superstars like the [Justin] Gaethje’s and the [Max] Holloway’s and the Jon Jones’, those guys get paid what they get paid. But most of the card gets paid way more than we’re worth.”

Although some fighters have complained about the pay, Alvey isn’t one of them. Instead, he says he was treated more than fair and points ot his first win in the UFC and the compensation he got.

“My first win in the UFC was over in Australia,” Alvey said. “They flew me and my corner out there, and then they flew my opponent, his corner out there. We got off the plane, they gave us $1000, they get off the plane, give them $1000. “We did the math and by the end of our fight, the UFC probably spent $50,000 to $70,000 on our fight and didn’t make a penny off us. I mean, nobody tuned in to watch ‘Smilin’’ Sam Alvey. Nobody tuned in to watch Dylan Andrews. They still paid me $70,000, or they paid ‘us,’ to have us fight, $70,000. It’s a crazy amount. We did nothing to deserve that.”

Sam Alvey says UFC takes a bet on fighters

Sam Alvey points to several UFC fighters not becoming stars and washing out of the promotion after a couple of fights, which actually costs the UFC money.

Sam Alvey Karate Combat — Mandatory Credit: Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire

With that, Alvey says when fighters get to the UFC they are paid more than what they deserve as not many fans know the debuting fighters.

“They paid that with the hopes we’d become the Max Holloway’s or the Conor McGregor’s, or ‘Smilin’’ Sam, like I eventually did,” Sam Alvey continued. “But they’re putting a big bet on that in the beginning.

Sam Alvey UFC 2 1 — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

“As you rise in the rankings, they pay you more and more and more. Now, people also overestimate how many people watch the UFC. We are still — as much as I have made in my career, my passion, and my love, and I’m surrounded by UFC — it is still such a small sport in the grand scheme of things.”

“The biggest event you could ever imagine, which was Conor vs. Khabib [Nurmagomedov], they fit it in the MGM, there was like 15,000 to 17,000 people there. In a mid-season worthless game, the NBA has close to 50,000 people there. It’s ridiculous to compare the sports. They’re paying us more than fair and they’re taking a big risk with every fighter they have.”

Since being released from the UFC, Alvey has been competing in Karate Combat.

Manager explains why Alex Pereira won’t make fighting return at UFC 301: ‘He has to go and let the dust settle’

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira won’t be fighting in Brazil at UFC 301 after all. Pereira scored a…

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira won’t be fighting in Brazil at UFC 301 after all.

Pereira scored a first-round knockout win over Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300. With Pereira not taking much damage, he called to fight in a few weeks at UFC 301. However, Pereira’s manager, Jorge Guimarães spoke on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast and explained why he won’t be fighting on the card.

“That won’t happen, no way, especially now that he has another broken toe,” Guimarães said of Pereira fighting on May 4 in Rio de Janeiro. “He has to go to the shipyard and let the dust settle and celebrate the victory. Maybe [go to Brazil] to watch the event, but no fights for him.”

gettyimages 2148568721 612x612 1 — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Alex Pereira not fighting at UFC 301 is a bit disappointing for fans, but due to the broken toe, he will be taking time off and making sure he’s healthy for his next title defense.

Manager Doesn’t Think Alex Pereira – Tom Aspinall fight is next

Since Alex Pereira became the light heavyweight champion, he has hinted at a future move to heavyweight.

Tom Aspinall has shown some interest in facing Alex Pereira in the future, but the Brazilian’s manager doesn’t think the fight makes sense for Aspinall.

gettyimages 2148334101 612x612 1 — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“I don’t think [fighting Pereira] is a good idea for Aspinall at this moment,” Guimarães said. “We have to see what’s going to happen. I think it’s still too premature. Aspinall is the interim champion, why would he risk fighting ‘Poatan’? I don’t think it makes much sense [for Aspinall], I don’t think it’s a good idea [for Aspinall]. For us, it is [a good idea].”

Ultimately, the plan for Pereira is to defend his light heavyweight title next, but his manager isn’t ruling out a fight at heavyweight in the future.

Alex Pereira at heavyweight? Not now, thanks — Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

“He has the desire, and I’ll tell you this, he’s going to do an incredible job at heavyweight,” Guimarães said. “He’s a super tough fight for anyone in the heavyweight division as well. He’s hungry to fight. He says his time is running out, and he wants to achieve the most he can. He’s extremely confident, and I think he would shine at heavyweight. Let’s see what the UFC has on the table for us, but he won’t be fighting in Rio de Janeiro.”

Charles Oliveira targets quickfire return after UFC 300, rematch fight with Max Holloway: ‘It would be wonderful’

Planning a hasty return to action off the back of his close, contentious split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan…

Planning a hasty return to action off the back of his close, contentious split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan over the weekend at UFC 300, former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has expressed his interest in a re-run with newly-minted BMF titleholder, Max Holloway in the future.

Oliveira, a former undisputed lightweight kingpin, who slipped to number two in the official lightweight pile over the course of the weekend, found himself on the wrong side of a close, debated split judging (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) defeat to Armenia native, Tsarukyan failed to lock up a slew of close submission attempts in each round.

Charles Oliveira releases statement after UFC 300 loss the lion is still hungry — Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

And arguing his case for a potential victory on the judge’s scorecards against the newly-ranked number one contender, Oliveira claimed that his active in hunting for submissions should likely have gotten him the nod in a close back-and-forth.

“I had to finish him,” Charles Oliveira explained during an interview with Canal Encarada. “It went to the judges, and it’s their call, there’s nothing we can do. If you go back tot the first round, you’ll see I tired to finish him more and they scored it for me. The second one was closer and I ended up with a triangle choke locked in, and they gave it to him. The third, he was on top, holding me there, but wasn’t doing Jiu-Jitsu or anything, and I finished with a choke locked in, and they still have it to him. There’s not much we can do.”

And in terms of an ideal return time – it’s as soon as possible according to Sao Paulo finisher, Oliveira, who also noted his interest in sharing the Octagon with the above-mentioned, Holloway in the future – who himself turned in a viral, buzzer-beating KO win over common-foe, Justin Gaethje.

Charles Oliveira addresses loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 It wasn't meant to be — Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

Charles Oliveira weighs up Max Holloway rematch

“We don’t need to get desperate,” Charles Oliveira explained. “I want to come back as soon as possible. Of course, a fight with Max Holloway would be wonderful, but he will definitely go back to his weight class to fight for the 145 [pound] title. Justin Gaethje hurt his nose, so we have to think.”

Max Holloway Justin Gaethje KO UFC 300 Pros react UFC 1024x587 1

First fighting Holloway atop a UFC Fight Night Saskatoon main event back in 2015, Oliveira saw a four-fight unbeaten streak come to an end in unique circumstances, suffering a first round TKO loss after he injured his esophagus during a scramble at the Octagon fence.

Would you like to see Charles Oliveira rematch Max Holloway?

Chael Sonnen unsure of ‘Weird’ UFC Hall of Fame induction for Anderson Silva fight: ‘It’s one of the worst moments’

Chael Sonnen says his UFC Hall of Fame induction was a little bit weird for him. Sonnen’s first fight…

Chael Sonnen says his UFC Hall of Fame induction was a little bit weird for him.

Sonnen’s first fight against Anderson Silva was inducted into the Hall of Fame as it entered the fight wing. The middleweight title fight was one of the best fights as Sonnen was dominating Silva and was well on his way to winning but caught in a submission in the fifth round.

Chael Sonnen unsure about UFC HOF induction

For that fight to be going into the Hall of Fame makes it a little weird for Sonnen, as he says that was one of the worst moments of his career.

“I gotta tell you, I’ve never felt good about a loss,” Chael Sonnen said of his Hall of Fame induction on Good Guy / Bad Guy. (via MMAMania). Nothing’s changed in my life. Like, I didn’t wake up and all of a sudden they reversed the decision, or I wake up, and I got a rematch and I beat him. I got some praise, and I must tell you it feels very good to get a pat on the back. I mean, one of the worst moments. One that’s kept me up at night is now the one that keeps me up from excitement. I lost, and that’s a little bit weird, but here I am.”

Although it was a little weird, Chael Sonnen says he didn’t even realize he was going into the Hall of Fame which made the moment more special.

Chael Sonnen, Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou, Stipe Miocic — Mandatory Credit: Desiree Navarro/WireImage

“I’ve got to tell you, that thing was so fun,” Sonnen said. “I never really envisioned this and Glenn Jacobs helped us set up. I had no idea until that came out of Jon Anik’s mouth. Even when he said it he didn’t say my name, he said ‘The Bad Guy,’ and I sat there, and I thought, ‘Well, they used to call me the bad guy.’ I had one of those moments. It was just fun, man. It was just exciting… It was very cool, and I was very grateful.”

Who are the 2024 UFC Hall of Fame inductees?

After the Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva fight was inducted into the Hall of Fame, the class of 2024 appears to be set.

The 2024 UFC Hall of Fame class will feature Frankie Edgar, Wanderlei Silva, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Sonnen vs. Silva 1.

The Hall of Fame class features some very well-deserving fighters who helped raise the profile of the UFC.

Jorge Masvidal reveals UFC vetoed fight with Jake Paul: ‘We’re not going to let you make money with this guy’

Jorge Masvidal wanted to box Jake Paul but ‘Gamebred’ says the UFC wouldn’t allow him to do so. Masvidal…

Jorge Masvidal wanted to box Jake Paul but ‘Gamebred’ says the UFC wouldn’t allow him to do so.

Masvidal and Paul have not seen eye-to-eye since the two trained together ahead of ‘The Problem Child’s’ fight against Ben Askren. In 2021, Paul claimed he had a five million dollar offer for Masvidal for the two to box, but ‘Gamebred’ was locked into his UFC contract.

Jorge Masvidal backed to succeed in Boxing move he's gonna surprise people UFC

However, with Masvidal now out of his UFC contract and taking boxing fights, many thought a fight would happen. But, speaking on The MMA Hour, Jorge Masvidal revealed why the boxing match hasn’t happened.

“I’ll address this little coward right now because I know he’s watching this s*** like a little creep. This little pervert creep be peeping on your show, brother. Listen [Jake], the UFC doesn’t like your b**** a**. Dana White, don’t like your b**** a**. Obviously, Hunter Campbell doesn’t like your b**** a**. They said, ‘We’re not going to let you make money with this guy,’ because at the end of the day, we’re partners. Me and Nate, we’re going to make money right now,” Masvidal said.

Jorge Masvidal confirms he's unretired from MMA sends fans into raptures about UFC return

Jorge Maasvidal says the UFC is letting him box, so he does still have to get the promotion’s approval. According to ‘Gamebred’ with White and the UFC not liking Paul it ruled out a potential boxing match between the two.

“Jake don’t sell like Logan. The UFC allowed me to do some boxing matches, but Jake had said some unpleasant things about Dana White and also about the UFC. So the UFC basically said, ‘F*** you, we’re not going to let you go get money with someone who is not the biggest draw.’ I can fight Logan Paul, but Jake Paul’s an a**,” Jorge Masvidal added.

Jorge Masvidal set to box Nate Diaz

Instead of boxing Jake Paul, Jorge Mavidal will be rematching Nate Diaz on June 1, but this time it will be in the boxing ring.

Jake Paul denies criticizm after performance over Nate Diaz I embarrassed a UFC legend — Mandatory Credit: Sam Hodde

Masvidal and Diaz first met in MMA for the inaugural BMF title back at UFC 244 in 2019, with ‘Gamebred’ winning by doctor stoppage. The two will now be having their rematch in boxing, after Diaz made his boxing debut last year, which he lost by decision to Jake Paul.

Masvidal vs. Diaz 2 is set to take place at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

Charles Oliveira believed he choked out Arman Tsarukyan with D’Arce at UFC 300: ‘I thought he went out’

Suffering a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) loss to Arman Tsarukyan on the main card of UFC 300…

Suffering a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) loss to Arman Tsarukyan on the main card of UFC 300 last weekend, former lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira claims he was convinced the Armenian was out cold late into the fight, courtesy of his D’Arce choke.

Oliveira, a former undisputed lightweight titleholder, slumped to number two in the official lightweight pile off the back of his judging loss to Tsarukyan at UFC 300 – with the former replacing him atop the tree at 155 pounds.

Dropping a close, debated decision loss to the American Top Team staple, Oliveira admitted he went very close with a trio of submissions in each of his three rounds against Tsarukyan – struggling with a first round guillotine, a late second frame triangle armbar from his back, and a notable D’Arce choke in the dying embers of the last round.

Oliveira UFC 300 — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

And according to him, Oliveira revealed that as far as he thought, Tsarukyan had been choked unconscious during the D’Arce attempt, with the Armenian contender defending by starfishing and bellying out from the bottom before the klaxon sounded.

Charles Oliveira argues for decision win at UFC 300

Arguing his case for a win due to his activity and search for numerous submissions, Oliveira admitted he thought that he had choked out Tsarukyan before the end of the final round.

“30 seconds [left in the fight], it was tight, one of the submissions I like the most, D’Arce choke,” Charles Oliveira told Canal Encarada during a recent interview. “I thought he (Arman Tsarukyan) went out, that’s why I had my tongue out, joking, you know? But I don’t know, it’s part of the game.”

“I had to finish him,” Charles Oliveira explained. “It went to the judges, and it’s their call, there’s nothing we can do. If you go back tot the first round, you’ll see I tired to finish him more and they scored it for me. The second one was closer and I ended up with a triangle choke locked in, and they gave it to him. The third, he was on top, holding me there, but wasn’t doing Jiu-Jitsu or anything, and I finished with a choke locked in, and they still have it to him. There’s not much we can do.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Seeing himself dislodged from the number one rank at lightweight, Oliveira assured his fans that the lion inside of him is “still hungry” to return to the summit of the division once more.

Who would you like to see Charles Oliveira fight next after UFC 300?