The UFC has been around for decades now but it truly saw its growth thanks to UFC President Dana White, who has done a lot to ensure the promotion continues to grow every year.
With that said, fans recently called out the UFC for underpaying fighters despite it reaching record revenue. This has become a recurring issue with the UFC over the years, as the likes of Jake Paul have championed the cause for underpaid UFC fighters.
The UFC’s Revenue Recently Crossed $1.3 Billion
According to MMA Fighting, in 2023, the UFC achieved record-breaking revenues, as indicated by the full-year financial report released by TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of both UFC and WWE. The MMA promotion witnessed substantial growth in live events and sponsorship throughout the year.
The UFC’s overall revenue reached $1.3 billion, marking a 13-percent increase from 2022. The fourth quarter of 2023 alone saw the UFC earn $282.8 million in revenue, compared to $271.7 million in the same period in 2022. This growth was fueled by a $76.2 million increase in media rights and content fees, a $42.6 million increase in live events revenue, and a $29.5 million increase in sponsorship revenue.
Live event revenue saw a remarkable 34-percent surge, reaching a record $168 million in 2023 over 43 events, primarily driven by ticket revenues and site fees. Sponsorship revenue also achieved a record year with an 18-percent increase, totaling $196 million. The UFC is poised for another boost in sponsorship revenue in 2024 following a lucrative multi-year deal with Bud Light, making it the official beer of the promotion.
Media rights and content continued to be a significant revenue driver, totaling $870.6 million for the year, attributed to broadcast deals such as the UFC’s partnership with ESPN. This marked an increase from $794.4 million in 2022.
There is speculation that the UFC might be seeking a new deal worth double its current contract, potentially reaching $3 billion or more over the contract’s duration. However, the promotion is also grappling with challenges in 2024, particularly the class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by several former fighters. The lawsuit is scheduled to begin on April 15 and seeks damages ranging between $894 million and $1.6 billion.
Fans Are Outraged After The UFC Underpays Fighters Despite Their Massive Success
As noted above, the UFC garnered a revenue of $1.3 billion and this has definitely upset quite a few fans simply because despite such huge earnings, they refuse to pay fighters a proper wage.
Many fans took to Twitter and commented on a tweet that mentioned how UFC has earned a revenue of $1.3 billion, where they all expressed outrage over the UFC not paying fighters a proper wage and underpaying them.
And now fighter pay increases as well to keep up with inflation. Right?
— Mega (@mega_meta_man) February 28, 2024
Right?
Only 1.3 billion? And some fighters like volk make $500k+ per fight? The ufc is too generous.
— aybo 💤🌎 (@400aybo) February 28, 2024
The NBA makes 10b a year and someone like trey young only makes 400k per game.
UFC revenue increases but when fighter ask Dana white for pay raise . pic.twitter.com/x8du4ClpCb
— Binod (@Biiinod) February 28, 2024
and they still refuse to give fighters livable pay 💀
— Fight Fan (@BasedLeft_Hook) February 28, 2024
UFC revenue increases to $1.3 billion in 2023.
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 28, 2024
Thats a 13% increase from 2022. pic.twitter.com/TL7nSCiRwk
It is not known whether UFC will end up forking out more money for many of their fighters. Without it, Jake Paul will likely launch another campaign against the promotion. All fans can do is wait and hope for the best.
