Tim Kennedy (pictured) says he’d make more money emptying trash cans than fighting in the UFC. Photo credit unknown.
It’s no secret that MMA fighters don’t make a whole lot of money in comparison to other professional sports. Many of them, like UFC 162’s Tim Kennedy, have other jobs to hold them over while enduring training sessions and fight camps.
But more and more, fighters are coming forward and expressing their frustrations with the UFC, saying that the MMA promotion is underpaying them.
Kennedy was interviewed on a recent podcast, wherein he explained that being a garbage man is more lucrative than fighting for the world leader for MMA.
UFC President Dana White is probably less than excited about what Kennedy had to say. Here’s the transcription:
“It’s pathetic that so many fighters [have to have other jobs] … It’s a good thing I have another job because the UFC doesn’t pay very well. Anybody who accepts [fighters being overpaid] as a reality of the sport is sad and pathetic. I hope this isn’t the reality of the sport. If it is, I should probably go do something else, like empty trash cans. I’d make more money than I do now.”
*Anticipates Dana White’s reaction*
UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman
July 6, 2013
MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Main Card (Pay-Per-View):
Anderson Silva (33-4) vs. Chris Weidman (9-0)
Frankie Edgar (15-4-1) vs. Charles Oliveira (16-3)
Tim Kennedy (15-4) vs. Roger Gracie (6-1)
Cub Swanson (19-5) vs. Dennis Siver (21-8)
Mark Munoz (12-3) vs. Tim Boetsch (16-5)
Preliminary Card (FX):
Chris Leben (22-9) vs. Andrew Craig (8-1)
Norman Parke (17-2) vs. Kazuki Tokudome (12-3-1)
Edson Barboza (11-1) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (15-5)
Preliminary Card (Facebook):
Gabriel Gonzaga (14-7) vs. Dave Herman (21-5)
Seth Baczynski (17-7) vs. Brian Melancon (6-2)
Mike Pierce (16-5) vs. David Mitchell (12-2)
The UFC is practically an MMA monopoly, and have horded the top talent. The UFC is the Wal-Mart of the MMA world if you will, and keeps the small upstart organizations from competing. This is bad for the fans and the fighters. As a fan of MMA I would like to see more fighting organizations. The competition would result in better salaries for the fighters as the various MMA organizations battle to keep the best talent.
OUCH. And back to Dana's expletive fillled tirade. Fucking fucker doesn't know jack shit, ha ha.
They need some thick skin. Who gives a shit…comparing that vs. the stupid, egotistical crap that main stream athletes display now days…it's nothing.