MVP, the new MMA promotion backed by Jake Paul, says its fighters will be paid far more than the typical UFC base pay for their debut event on Netflix. The promotion also confirmed Ronda Rousey will earn more than UFC headliner Ilia Topuria.
Pay figures revealed
On the Death Row MMA show, Jake Paul said he knows how much Ronda Rousey is getting paid for the event and that it is “a lot more” than what Ilia Topuria makes for fighting. Paul did not give exact numbers on air, but he stressed the difference in pay between MVP and top UFC fighters.
Minimum pay: $40,000 guaranteed
MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian announced a $40,000 guaranteed minimum pay for fighters on the promotion’s debut show. That is a large step up from the UFC’s common base pay structure, which often starts at $12,000 to show and another $12,000 for a win.
Bidarian explained the reasoning on an interview with Ariel Helwani. He said, “They’re putting their lives on the line. We’re not looking to take the credit. We’re not looking to fatten our pockets with their labor. This is a potential differentiation to bring fighters into the fold that may want to be properly compensated for their value.”
What MVP wants to be in MMA
Despite the big pay announcements, Bidarian was clear that MVP does not expect to immediately replace the UFC as the top company in mixed martial arts. He said the goal is to be a strong alternative, not to claim the UFC’s spot overnight.
“We want to be a successful alternative product within the MMA space,” Bidarian said. “I can’t compete with the UFC. I’d be lying to myself if I thought that, right? That’s not the goal. But can I make an impact? Can I create opportunity, put on an amazing product and put all the money back into the shows and into the fighters. We’re pretty confident we can.”
About the event
The show is MVP’s first MMA event on Netflix and takes place on Saturday night. Ronda Rousey is the main event star for the card. Beyond the pay announcements, MVP has said it will invest heavily in the event and in fighter pay as part of its strategy to attract talent.
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian have both pushed the message that higher fighter pay is a core part of MVP’s plan. The promotion’s debut on a major streaming platform marks a notable moment in the sport, and the pay guarantees have sparked discussion about compensation standards in MMA.
