Outside Source
Cannonier is scheduled to fight at UFC Oklahoma City against Christian Leroy Duncan (14-2) in the co-main event. It will mark his 21st Octagon outing, having competed in the UFC since 2015, across three different divisions. Considering how many fights he has in the premier MMA promotion, he believes his compensation is below par.
Jared Cannonier discusses UFC fighter pay, sponsorship changes and his middleweight career
Cannonier would love all MMA fighters to earn more in general. However, “The Killa Gorilla” believes there are varying levels of skill sets even in the UFC. Considering his own pedigree, Cannonier believes he deserves a much better contract with the UFC.
“I would love to get paid more,” Cannonier told Full Send MMA. “I would love all of us MMA fighters to get paid more. But there is big differentiation in skill level, even in the UFC. I think the UFC pays based on merit, how you perform, A, how you market yourself, B. I would like to get paid as much as the highest-performing athletes in any sport get paid.”
Cannonier also notes that sponsorships have declined since the UFC’s policy change over a decade ago, further limiting financial prospects for fighters. The 42-year-old believes he deserves much more than his current pay, considering he has been a perennial middleweight contender for years now. While Cannonier says he isn’t complaining, he refuses to be silent when his opinion is sought.
“We used to get a bunch of sponsors; we still get sponsors, but the changing of the landscape changed that for us,” the former title challenger added. “And it didn’t leave us with much of anything at the end. Fighters are definitely at the sh*t end of the stick of this whole business. I think I should have million-dollar contracts, not $100,000 contracts and stuff — at the stage that I’m in. I’ve been top five, top ten for about seven to eight years. I’m not complaining, but this is definitely how I feel. I’m not gonna hold back my voice and my opinion.”
Jared Cannonier gives an honest take on UFC fighter pay
“I would like to get paid the same way the highest level athletes in any sport get paid. I should have million dollar contacts at the stage I’m in, I’ve been top 10 for 7-8 years. I’m not complaining but it’s how I feel” pic.twitter.com/6CwX9xq6pO
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) July 16, 2026
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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