Jake Paul has made headlines once again, this time stirring the pot with a bold claim about fighter salaries. During a conversation with UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal on the Death Row MMA show, Paul suggested that Ronda Rousey is set to earn significantly more for her upcoming fight than UFC’s undefeated lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria.
This Saturday, Rousey is set to headline Netflix’s inaugural MMA event alongside Gina Carano in Los Angeles. When asked about the pay disparity between the two events, Paul didn’t hold back. “I know how much Ronda Rousey is making for this event and it’s a lot more than what Ilia Topuria makes for fighting,” he stated confidently.
Topuria is gearing up for a title unification match against Justin Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14. While specific salary details for that event are typically kept under wraps, it’s safe to assume that Topuria will receive a substantial paycheck, especially given the high-profile nature of the event, which will be attended by UFC President Donald Trump and other notable figures.
Paul’s comments raise eyebrows, especially considering his ongoing advocacy for fairer pay in combat sports. He hinted that even some of the lesser-known fighters on the Netflix card will be compensated “definitely more than the UFC by a lot,” although he refrained from disclosing exact figures.
Masvidal, who recently retired after a bout with Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, echoed Paul’s sentiments regarding the need for better pay for fighters, particularly those in the upper echelons of the sport. He explained that while initial pay scales may be reasonable for newcomers, there’s a pressing need for change as fighters prove their worth.
“I like the way you see it, but to be honest with you, in fighting, that 12 and 12 or when I was fighting it was, like, 4 and 4, that’s still like six times of what you make on the regional side,” Masvidal noted. He emphasized that while early-career fighters need to earn their stripes, those in the top 10 or 15 should see a significant pay increase.
Paul countered that higher pay could attract more talent to the sport, allowing fighters to focus solely on their training rather than juggling multiple jobs. “It would create better talent and better fighters because they wouldn’t have to be working other jobs in between training sessions,” he argued.
As for Masvidal’s future, he hinted at exciting developments on the horizon while still under contract with the UFC. “We’ve been talking for a little bit… we’ve got some things we’ve been working on cooking,” he teased, leaving fans eager for more details.
With both fighters advocating for change, the conversation around pay in combat sports is heating up. What might this mean for the future of fighter compensation?
