Despite the global inflation rate showing a significant drop in recent years, the UFC has emerged as a notable exception to this trend. Ticket prices for UFC PPV events have witnessed a steep increase, causing fans to express outrage. The hefty cost of tickets, with the cheapest option for UFC 303 featuring Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler coming in at a staggering $405, has been a major source of discontent among fans. These elevated ticket prices have significantly contributed to the UFC’s impressive earnings and remarkable net worth, which was recently estimated at $11.3 billion, making it the most valuable combat sports promotion according to Forbes.
Information disseminated by ‘MMA On Point’ on their ‘X’ update highlighted the soaring ticket prices. One fan echoed a common sentiment, stating “Overcharging fans and under paying talent,” criticizing the UFC for allegedly underpaying fighters despite the substantial revenue generated from ticket sales and PPV buys. However, most other fans primarily focused their comments on the exorbitant ticket prices. One fan shared their experience, “I had floor seats at ufc 165 and it cost around that. Crazy how much the tickets have gone up.” Another fan attempted to explain the rationale behind the rising prices, attributing it to inflation.
The criticism directed at the UFC regarding insufficient fighter compensation is not limited to the comments on ‘MMA On Point.’ One of the most prominent boxing stars of this era, Jake Paul, has engaged in an ongoing feud with UFC president Dana White due to his concerns about low fighter payouts. Paul has consistently argued that UFC fighters could earn considerably more if they were not bound by the UFC’s constraints and opted to promote themselves independently. Retired UFC star Ben Askren, who shared the ring with Paul, disclosed that his earnings from his boxing match far surpassed his UFC paydays. UFC fighters like the former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou have seemingly taken note of Paul’s stance and have made the decision to sever ties with the UFC. Nonetheless, the massive gate revenues that White announces following PPV events indicate that he is currently prevailing in his dispute with Paul.
