Paddy Pimblett opens up about accepting a pay reduction when he joined UFC

The UFC is the pinnacle of the MMA scene and represents a chance for MMA fighters to showcase their skills on the big stage. Although many fighters who join the UFC expect their earnings to skyrocket immediately, things often turn out differently. Some have the illusion that by joining this company, money will come by itself. However, things are much different.

Many fighters start their careers with basic contracts that do not guarantee them large fees. At first, their income is very modest, which was the case with one of the most famous British fighters, Paddy Pimblett.

Pimblett's contract

Although Pimblett had great success on the MMA scene before joining the UFC, his initial contract was not exactly what many would expect. Namely, the UFC offered him a standard starting contract; $10,000 for a performance and more in case of a win. Many may think that the UFC automatically means big money, but fighters have a thorny path to stardom.

Pimblett shared his experience on the Full Send podcast, stressing that before he agreed to the UFC offer, he had a bigger contract with the Cage Warriors organization. Surprisingly, his previous company was even offering him a better deal.

But even though the money was better, the young Briton decided to go the other way because he had different visions for his career:

"I'd been saving money for years, investing in my future and helping my family. That money had helped me in so many ways, so it was a tough decision," Pimblett said.

How did he get to the top?

Although the conditions were far from ideal, the 30-year-old saw the UFC as an opportunity to make a big splash and get on the big stage. "When I signed with the UFC, I was basically taking a pay cut. But I knew it was the right opportunity to build my career," Pimblett said.

During his initial appearances, he earned $12,000 for an appearance and another $12,000 for a win, but over time, as he continued to achieve success, his earnings grew day by day, and now he has twice the earnings he made at the beginning of his career.