How UFC's Venum Deal Pays Fighters Per Appearance

UFC fighters strictly wear Venum gear, because the promotion is sponsored by the combat sports apparel and equipment brand. In return, each fighter is paid through the UFC's Promotional Guidelines Compliance Program.

The program pays a set fee per appearance. The amount depends on how long the fighter has been with the company and on title status. Qualifying bouts include UFC fights, Zuffa-era WEC fights and Strikeforce fights.

The tiers

A title holder receives a flat $42,000. A title challenger receives $32,000.

The lowest tier is for fighters with one to three fights in the organization, who get $4,000 per appearance. Fighters with four to five fights receive $4,500.

From Reebok to Venum

The current Venum deal started in April 2021. The exclusive gear system itself began in July 2015 with the UFC's deal with Reebok. Before that, fighters could wear their own gear and carry individual sponsors.

When the Reebok deal was about to start, the UFC planned to pay fighters according to the UFC media rankings at the time of the fight. Some fighters and managers pushed back hard, and the UFC dropped the idea. It built the tenure and championship tiers instead.

Critics had argued that media rankings were highly subjective, could be influenced easily and did not reflect a fighter's popularity.

The Reebok deal also cost the UFC some names. Benson Henderson, Ryan Bader, Matt Mitrione and Gegard Mousasi cited it as the main reason for leaving for rival promotions.

At the time, management pushed the uniform look to give the sport a cleaner image, like the NBA and NFL. The system drew criticism for a contradiction. The UFC classifies its fighters as independent contractors, yet it dictates what they wear and strips them of the right to monetize their own fight gear.

The UFC has raised the payouts in the Venum program compared with the Reebok deal. The UFC and Venum have extended their exclusive outfitting partnership through 2029.

Source: MMA Sucka