Terence Crawford Questions UFC Fighter Pay, Says Boxing Undercard Fighters Earn More Than UFC Headliners

Terence Crawford

UFC fighter pay has always been a hot topic, with many fighters voicing concerns on social media about low earnings. The payouts vary widely, from just a few thousand dollars to millions per fight, depending on factors like experience, performance, and contract terms. Addressing this issue, Terence Crawford recently questioned UFC fighter pay, claiming that even boxing undercard fighters make more than UFC headliners.

A fighter’s online presence plays a crucial role in their earnings in the UFC. The more engagement and attention they generate, the higher their pay and PPV shares. This was evident with UFC superstar Conor McGregor. However, Terence Crawford recently pointed out that even headlining fighters struggle to earn significantly.

The most historic UFC event, UFC 306 at the Sphere, saw Dana White invest over $20 million, yet the fighters received lower pay than an undercard boxer. Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Crawford (‘Bud’) stated:

“UFC, a guy headlining at the Sphere, they’re probably getting a couple million dollars. But you’ll see a guy on the undercard of a (boxing) show, making more money than that guy.”

Terence Crawford: UFC Fans Stand by Fighters, Boxing Fans Don’t

The UFC’s rise is largely fueled by its passionate fanbase, who support fighters win or lose. Terence Crawford believes boxing fans could learn from this, as boxing culture overly values undefeated records. He pointed out that in MMA, fighters can lose and still be respected, whereas in boxing, Floyd Mayweather’s perfect record created a mindset where one loss can ruin a fighter’s reputation. Crawford highlighted this difference, saying:

“One thing I love about the UFC is that a guy can lose and still have support. In boxing, Floyd made it to where if you lose, they kick you to the curb and call you a bum—even if you lost to a great fighter!”

He cited Deontay Wilder as an example, noting how fans dismissed him after one loss, unlike UFC stars like Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor, who still enjoy strong fan support despite multiple defeats.