The $15 Million Distraction Overshadowing UFC 326's Main Event
UFC 326's blockbuster main event between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira is facing an unavoidable distraction: a $15 million controversy that has reignited the fierce debate over fighter pay in mixed martial arts. The issue stems from UFC president Dana White's reported $15 million acquisition of boxer Conor Benn for his Zuffa Boxing venture, a sum that starkly contrasts with the compensation offered to even the UFC's most iconic stars.
White's Boxing Venture Highlights UFC Pay Disparity
Dana White made his priorities painfully clear when he allegedly funneled a staggering $15 million into the pocket of Conor Benn for a single co-main event boxing bout. Benn, while a notable name in boxing, has not yet reached elite global marketability, yet his reported fee—which White neither confirmed nor denied in an interview with Piers Morgan—far exceeds typical UFC contracts. This move has left many questioning whether the UFC's top athletes are being adequately valued, especially as White's focus appears divided by his boxing interests and the ongoing civil war in the combat sports world.
Fighter pay has long been a contentious issue in the UFC, famously leveraged by Jake Paul in his critiques of White. However, the perceived undervaluation of UFC employees has never felt more pertinent. This has prompted several top stars to speak out more boldly than ever before.
UFC Stars Voice Their Discontent
British welterweight Michael "Venom" Page expressed his frustration to Sky Sports, stating, "When you see somebody get paid that amount of money from the same person that's not paying you on this side, it's just disheartening." Former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley and Demetrious Johnson, who was notoriously underpaid during his record-setting flyweight title run, have similarly voiced their disbelief. This outcry sets a tense backdrop for UFC 326, where two of the sport's most beloved figures are set to compete.
Holloway and Oliveira: Legends Undervalued
Max Holloway embodies what it means to be a fan favourite in the UFC. The former featherweight champion and reigning "Baddest Motherf***er" is a bona fide legend who has enthralled audiences for over a decade. In boxing, he would likely command tens of millions per fight, but in the Octagon, he earns only a fraction of that. His opponent, Charles Oliveira, is equally iconic—a frantic submission artist whose lightweight title run captivated fans. Despite barely speaking English, Oliveira is unequivocally adored by the entire fanbase, a testament to his exceptional skills.
This main-event matchup is a proper super-fight, a rematch fans have eagerly awaited since their first meeting nearly 11 years ago ended in a first-round injury for Oliveira. Yet, its timing—just a week after Benn's Zuffa signing and a day after Tom Aspinall joined Matchroom Boxing—creates an inescapable distraction. Holloway and Oliveira have given immensely to the sport, contributing to White's profits long before Conor McGregor's rise and helping the UFC go mainstream. As two of the few remaining marquee attractions, they deserve greater financial recognition, even if not $15 million per fight.
Pay Improvements: A Drop in the Ocean
While fighter pay has seen some improvements recently, thanks to the UFC's new broadcasting deal with Paramount—which doubled fighter bonuses from $50,000 to $100,000—these changes are minimal compared to the vast sums involved. TKO president Mike Shapiro insists the company takes "increases in fighter pay very seriously," but White's ability to pay mammoth salaries to boxers like Benn, with support from Turki Alalshikh and Saudi entertainment company Sela, highlights the disparity. It is believed that the career-high paydays of Holloway and Oliveira may not exceed even a fifth of Benn's guaranteed fee.
A Call for Collective Action
Holloway has emphasised the need for fighters to unite and recognise their own value. On Demetrious Johnson's YouTube channel, he stated, "The main thing I would say is know your worth, know what it is. It's going to suck. At the end of the day, hold your ground. You should know what your worth is." He recalled an incident where heavyweight Derrick Lewis undermined Jon Jones' negotiation for a $10 million fight by offering to step in for a tenth of the price, urging fighters to stand together rather than undercut each other.
For too long, questions about fighter pay at UFC press conferences have been brushed aside, with even influential stars reluctant to criticise the pay structure. This latest development could serve as a turning point, prompting a more collective response from athletes.
Realigning Focus at UFC 326
While immediate changes are unlikely, Holloway and Oliveira have an opportunity at UFC 326 to shift attention back to the fighters. By delivering a barnstormer in Las Vegas, the UFC's spiritual home, they can underscore just how skewed White's financial priorities have become. Their performance may not directly alter pay structures, but it can remind fans and promoters alike of the immense value these warriors bring to the sport—a value that deserves far greater compensation.
