UFC to change Reebok pay structure to tiered system

[Wild]

Sports Business Journal reports (subscription recommended) that the UFC is making a change to the way it will compensate its fighters through the Reebok deal. Instead of paying fighters based on media rankings, it will pay fighters based on a “tiered system” based on tenure or number of UFC bouts fought.

There will be 5 tiers based on the number of fights an individual has had with the UFC. The article indicates that the UFC will count fights with the WEC and Strikeforce into the number of fights an individual has fought with the organization. There will be tiers of 1-5 fights, 6-10 fights, 11-15 fights, 16-20 fights and more than 21 fights according to the article.

Cont'd...

The new “tiered” system appears to be a much more fair system than the media rankings which were widely criticized. The system which rewards a fighter based on time served in the UFC (or WEC or Strikeforce) is a much more stable way of determining how a fighter will be compensated through the Reebok deal. It also gives a fighter incentive to do their best to stay in the UFC. Still, the unknown is how much a fighter will be paid through the deal. The UFC does leave itself an out as the policy allows it to pay fighters more in championship bouts (e.g. McGregor at UFC 189).

Full article: UFC to change Reebok pay structure to tiered system : MMAPayout.com: The Business of MMA

 

[SongExotic2]

So will tibau make more sponsorship money than let's say DC?

 

[Pitbull9]

So will tibau make more sponsorship money than let's say DC?

Sounds like it and to be honest im ok with that. UFC vets should get paid more.

 

[La Paix]

Holloway 12 fights
Swanson 17 fights
Cerrone 27 fights
Faber 23 fights
Lawler 23 fights
Bisping 22 fights
Conor McG 5 fights

Let the twitter trolling begin.

 

[Wild]

View: https://twitter.com/theMMAcommunity/status/590188065705996288

 

[ThatOneDude]

I like it, I think it's a much better system that what they initially proposed, but I still don't like it over all. I wonder if Brendan Schaub's comments on the Fighter and the Kid podcast have anything to do with nudging them in this direction.

 

[La Paix]

Interesting part.

The article points out that the change was based on discussions with fighters and their managers about the deal. It’s interesting that these discussions happened now and not during the time prior to the Reebok announcement. The new change should give a fighter more certainty as to what tier they are in and an expectancy as to how much they should receive from Reebok.

 

[D241]

Wouldn't a tenure system be based on time with the company and not so much as fights?

If so, Royce and Hughes and Renzo are still on the UFC roster, they must be hoping it's on tenure and not # of fights.

This is interesting as UFC has fighters like above who will never fight, but UFC will not release them from their contracts so UFC keeps them on their rosters so they don't go elsewhere. Like with Wanderlei.

 

[Priziesthorse]

Still not perfect, but it's better than the original plan. If they went on the rankings, the top 10 115 girls would be making the same as people in the top 10 in other divisions while most of them only have 1 or 2 UFC fights. That would have really chapped my ass.

 

[La Paix]

Most UFC bouts

Fighter Bouts Record (W-L-D)
Tito Ortiz 27 15-11-1
Matt Hughes 25 18-7-0
Gleison Tibau 25 16-9-0
Josh Koscheck 25 15-10-0
Randy Couture 24 16-8-0
Frank Mir 24 15-9-0
Chuck Liddell 23 16-7-0
B.J. Penn 23 12-9-2
Michael Bisping 22 15-7-0
Melvin Guillard 22 12-9-0, 1 NC
Chris Leben 22 12-10-0
Georges St. Pierre 21 19-2-0
Diego Sanchez 21 14-7-0
Clay Guida 21 12-9-0
Yves Edwards 21 10-10-0, 1 NC
Rich Franklin 20 14-6-0
Lyoto Machida 20 14-6-0
Demian Maia 20 14-6-0
Nate Diaz 20 12-8-0
Gabriel Gonzaga 20 11-9-0
Chris Lytle 20 10-10-0
Jeremy Stephens 20 10-10-0
Anderson Silva 19 17-2-0
Jim Miller 19 13-5-0, 1 NC
Vitor Belfort 19 13-6-0
Thiago Alves 19 13-6-0
Matt Brown 19 12-7-0
Dennis Siver 19 11-7-0, 1 NC
Sam Stout 19 9-10-0
Records reflect UFC bouts only.

All fighters with 19 or more UFC bouts are included.

 

[ThatOneDude]

Wouldn't a tenure system be based on time with the company and not so much as fights?

If so, Royce and Hughes and Renzo are still on the UFC roster, they must be hoping it's on tenure and not # of fights.

This is interesting as UFC has fighters like above who will never fight, but UFC will not release them from their contracts so UFC keeps them on their rosters so they don't go elsewhere. Like with Wanderlei.

I don't think it works the way you think

 

[D241]

I don't think it works the way you think

" it will pay fighters based on a “tiered system” based on tenure or number of UFC bouts fought."

"UFC will count fights with the WEC and Strikeforce into the number of fights an individual has fought with the organization"


My comments were based on what I read. What I read is gray as it says based on tenure OR # of UFC fights which is why I made that bring up.

How will UFC treat fighters under contract who have fights in WEC/Strikeforce and are still under contract but aren't getting fights offered or accepting fight offers?

 

[D241]

This part of the article worries me, Deeply.

The system which rewards a fighter based on time served in the UFC (or WEC or Strikeforce) is a much more stable way of determining how a fighter will be compensated through the Reebok deal. It also gives a fighter incentive to do their best to stay in the UFC.

Fighter has lost two in a row, has barely won the first two rounds, decides to coast and not engage in the third round to guarantee a decision victory to keep him in UFC, keep him getting a bonus.

A system that encourages a situation where it's more rewarding to avoid the fight is not a good system.

 

[ThatOneDude]

" it will pay fighters based on a “tiered system” based on tenure or number of UFC bouts fought."

"UFC will count fights with the WEC and Strikeforce into the number of fights an individual has fought with the organization"


My comments were based on what I read. What I read is gray as it says based on tenure OR # of UFC fights which is why I made that bring up.

How will UFC treat fighters under contract who have fights in WEC/Strikeforce and are still under contract but aren't getting fights offered or accepting fight offers?

If they aren't fighting but they are 'in' the Ufc then they won't see money because they are fighting.

 

[D241]

If they aren't fighting but they are 'in' the Ufc then they won't see money because they are fighting.

But they have tenure

 

[ThatOneDude]

But they have tenure

I think you are looking at it the wrong way. They get sponsored for fights, if you aren't fighting you aren't getting sponsorship money. So it's a moot point.

 

[La Paix]

So who deserves more? A guy like Cerrone with 27 fights since his WEC debut in 2007 and is known for trying to be as active as possible? Or the HW champ Cain who's had 12 fights since since his UFC debut in 2008? It says champs will get a different offer right?

 

[ThatOneDude]

So who deserves more? A guy like Cerrone with 27 fights since his WEC debut in 2007 and is known for trying to be as active as possible? Or the HW champ Cain who's had 12 fights since since his UFC debut in 2008? It says champs will get a different offer right?

That's a tough one, and part of the reason why I still don't like this deal.

 

[Shy Guy]

Still not the best system but it's better than the rankings.

They should just develop an algorithm based on experience, ranking, top ten wins and other factors.

 

[Izi_Garcia]

I just can't wait to see how much they will actually be making, I want solid numbers.

 

[Pitbull9]

You know whats funny we sit here and discuss this deal when at the end of the day its a total FUCK UP and is really only good for lining the Zuffas pockets and not the fighters. They have their sponsors and that is that. Its total bullshit whats happening but we have to accept it and so do they and that fuck head Dana will spin it how he usually does and call everyone a moron and say

"Listen if you dont think this deal is..."

"Only a moron would think that this deal is..."

"First of all when we made this deal..."

Etc etc.

 

[lookoutawhale]

this seems to be a better way than rankings.

how much of the reebok money is ufc taking and how much is going to the fighters? im guessing they wont answer that.

 

[La Paix]

this seems to be a better way than rankings.

how much of the reebok money is ufc taking and how much is going to the fighters? im guessing they wont answer that.

Dana White: 'UFC won't make a dime off' new Reebok deal - MMA Fighting

Video with Ariel

 

[ThatOneDude]

this seems to be a better way than rankings.

how much of the reebok money is ufc taking and how much is going to the fighters? im guessing they wont answer that.

"The Ufc isn't getting any money you goof, it's strictly for the fighters. "

 

[lookoutawhale]

^ hmm seems fishy. why did they want Reebok so bad in favour of the fighters own sponsors if they don't get anything out of it. Haven't the fighters said that the sponsorship money will be less than if they got it themselves?