Jake Paul has proposed a new UFC bonus system that would see the winner of every fight receive a $50,000 bonus.
It comes after every fight who secured a finish at UFC London last weekend was awarded a performance bonus. Historically, only a selection of fighters on the card receive $50,000 performance bonuses whilst two fighters also receive a bonus for 'Fight of the Night'.
But UFC boss Dana White was clearly in good spirits after the conclusion of a fantastic night for the promotion in London, handing out $450,000 in performance bonuses to the athletes who finished their fights.
Paul has campaigned for UFC fighters to be paid more and previously promised to retire from boxing if White met a list of demands. The 25-year-old now thinks White should implement a new bonus system that will see $600,000 paid out every event for performance bonuses.
"Love seeing fighters get paid," Paul wrote. "Idea: Commit $50K bonus 4 every winner / $600K per UFC event. 45 events, 12 fights, total payout $27M (2.7% of rev). If winner don’t deserve it / boring fight, spread the $50K to one’s that do on the card. More exciting fights, more pay. Good idea?
In addition to receiving a bonus for every win, Paul wants UFC fighters to be paid a minimum purse of $50,000 a fight and receive 50 per cent of the promotion's profits, whilst also being guaranteed long-term healthcare after retiring from fighting.
UFC owner Ari Emanuel was forced to dismiss Paul's concerns over fighter pay in the promotion during a media call last week, stating: "I’m not commenting on that. I think we’ve done very well as it relates to the pay for the fighters.”
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Paul was allowed access to the call with Emanuel after investing a "six-figure sum" in the UFC earlier this year. The YouTube star hopes investing in Endeavor stock can "drive long-term economic value" by increasing UFC fighter pay & providing them healthcare.
Chief Financial Officer Jason Lublin expanded on the fighter pay issue whilst on the call, adding: “We’ve increased fighter pay 600 per cent since 2005 - we’re investing in the business with performance institutes, food, recovery.
"We think we’ve done very, very well. As the revenue for the business increases, it has only benefited that business, and we’ve grown and the sport has grown and fighter pay has grown too - as I said, look how much it’s gone up since 2005.”
