Michael Bisping Sheds Some Light On UFC Fighter Contracts And ‘Red Panty Nights’

Michael Bisping take a deep dive on the nature of UFC fighter contracts in his latest YouTube channel video.

Michael Bisping
Credit Michael Bisping on Instagram

Michael Bisping takes a look at the structure of UFC fighter contracts.

There are more options than ever for professional fighters to earn a living. The UFC seems to be at the top of the pyramid when it comes to fighter payment. However, despite this fact, there are still many fighters who are unhappy with the figures they are being paid. This topic of conversation has come to the forefront over the past couple of years. Some of the bigger-name fighters such as Jon Jones, Conor McGregor, and more have been very vocal about the fact that they are getting paid what they want and are very happy with their position in the company. However other fighters are unhappy either with the amount of money they were getting paid or the conditions in which their contracts are formatted. 

Most recently UFC champion Francis Ngannou left the organization due to contract negotiation problems. He wanted more freedom in his contract in order to try his hand at boxing. He was looking for more fighter benefits such as health insurance, none of which he was able to resolve with UFC. He is currently still a free agent although he may be leaning towards signing with new MMA promotion soon. Former UFC fighter turned analyst for the company Michael Bisping is now shedding a little bit of light on what a fighter contract entails.

Michael Bisping explains the structure of a UFC fighter contract

Bisping was joined by current UFC fighter Anthony Smith on their podcast. He broke down the ins and outs of a UFC contract. Most fighters will sign a certain amount of bout agreements although according to Bisping per fight there may be a little bit of wiggle room. 
 

“Money fights, red panty night all that stuff, I think there is a big misconseption there, it is true what I’m about to say, obviously you have a contract whether that’s three fights, six fights, eight fights whatever it is and you have to adhere to that contract,” he said. “Now for every fight there is an individual bout agreement and let’s say if you fight someone of the magnitude of Conor McGregor then maybe if the UFC feels like it at the end of the day, let’s be honest, you can negotiate some extra money. But they don’t have to because as our friend said you’re on the contract.”

It’s no secret that McGregor is the highest-paid fighter in the UFC. Anybody who fights him usually gets paid more for that fight than they do typically. The same could be said for Jones. However, Bisping explains that each situation is unique and it’s up to the UFC ultimately if they want to pay a fighter more money. 
 

“I say, I know this goes against lobbying for fighter pay, I’m always lobbying for fighter pay, I want all fighters to get paid the most amount of money so in some situations you can if the UFC basically feel like it but generally if you sign a contract you kind of got to be a man and stick to it,” he said.

Both Bisping and Smith were adamant that the UFC was quite generous with them over their careers. They both explain that they were paid much more money than they were contractually owed, and although both have had their problems with the company and the higher-ups over their careers, in the end, they are both pleased with how things went, and are going. 

Published on May 3, 2023 at 10:00 am
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