Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann side with UFC on fighter pay issue

Paddy Pimblett has a message for UFC fighter’s unhappy with their pay, and it isn’t one advocating for higher wages. Molly McCann, meanwhile, points to more than just her income that makes it good to be a UFC fighter.

Pimblett and McCann, two of the U.K.’s breakout MMA stars this year, are back in action this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 208 at The O2 in London. Pimblett takes on Jordan Leavitt, while McCann meets Hannah Goldy on the ESPN+ main card.

Ahead of their matchups, Pimblett (18-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and McCann (12-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) addressed the ongoing issue of fighter pay on “The Overlap.”

Pimblett raised eyebrows in March after revealing that he earned $12,000 to show and $12,000 for his win over Kazula Vargas as a purse (he also received a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus) despite being a big reason why The O2 sold out. Now, his tune on pay is all about putting the onus on individual fighters to increase their worth beyond their performance inside the cage.

“People moan about the wages, but if you’re a boring fighter, no personality, it’s always stuff like that,” Pimblett said (via Bloody Elbow). “They never go, ‘Ah, yeah, it’s my own fault.’ Or, ‘I’m a boring bastard.’ Some people can’t talk on a mic, but they’re boss in the cage. I always say, you’ve got to have the whole package.”

As for McCann, she’s happy with the perks provided by the UFC, indicating they might make up for any perceived low wages.

“No other promotion would fly you around the world to put you in the five-star hotels,” McCann said. “When you arrive, you send them your weight, and they’ll come up with a refeed program. They’ll give you food all of the week. They’re with you non-stop.

“Then you’ve got the Performance Institute, which is like the EIS (English Institute of Sport). … We’ve got one in Las Vegas where you’re allowed to go and use for free, so you’ve constantly got free physio (therapy), strength and conditioning programs”

She added, “Everyone starts the same, 10/10 ($10,000 to show, $10,000 to win). Then it will go up to 12/12 (and so on).”

The first confirmed year that the UFC increased minimum pay to $10K/$10K in its contracts was in 2015. Seven years later, it remains that way.