Former UFC middleweight champion Shawn Strickland called the company’s pay structure “predatory” ahead of his headline bout Saturday against Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night in Houston.
In a pre-fight interview with Complex this week, Strickland, who will be making his 24th appearance in the Octagon, downplayed the UFC’s recent move to increase fight night bonuses to $100,000 — up from $50,000 — before attacking fighters’ compensation as a whole.
“In terms of the pay scale, when you compare it to any other sporting event, the UFC is the most amazing,” Strickland told Complex. “Athletes are paid versus what they (UFC) earn, there’s no debate about that. It’s not fair. It’s predatory.”
He continued: “I would just like it to be on par with any other sporting event. Any other sporting event – how much they make is what we should charge. Let’s say the NFL gives 70% of their profits – I’m making this up – to their players. The UFC should do the same thing.”
There is no collective bargaining agreement for athletes in the UFC, with fighters negotiating contracts independently. An antitrust lawsuit, settled in 2025, alleged that the UFC historically limited fighters’ compensation to between 13% and 20% of revenue.
The UFC has repeatedly defended its record on athlete compensation, while noting that there are other leagues in which athletes can compete if they so choose.
Strickland, a controversial figure in mixed martial arts, said he believes American talent in mixed martial arts will eventually dry up due to a lack of fair pay. He said if anyone turned down a fight because of objection to their pay, the UFC would find someone else willing to accept less money.
“You’re going to see the American crew slowly die because, like, they’re being outsourced by people,” Strickland said.
