"The Happy Warrior" shares some views on a touchy and sometimes controversial subject in the MMA world.
YOUR FIRST FIGHT: WHAT DID YOU MAKE
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In 2003 in Japan, I was paid $100 flat for my first pro fight, and $200 for my second fight. I wasn’t trying to make a living. I fought for fun, to prove my skills.
FIRST BIG
PAY DAY
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In 2009, I was so excited to make $4,000 to fight in Strikeforce. It was the most I’d ever made! It made sense since it was the biggest show I’d ever fought on.
WHAT ABOUT THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 18 FINALE
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I got paid UFC minimum wage of $8,000. I remember being excited because they had raised the minimum fighter purse from the previous $5,000. Nowadays it’s $10,000.
FINAL WORD ON UFC FIGHTER PAY
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Pay should be based on how much entertainment value you bring.
If you want more money as a fighter, try to knock people out, sub them creatively, or talk some smack.