The world of mixed martial arts is an interesting realm in which various controversies pop up quite often. One of the more frequently discussed points of contention in recent memory has been that of fighter pay, and many individuals have weighed in on the amount that MMA fighters are paid, as well as how the situation should be “fixed.” Recently, another famous personality has spoken out about MMA pay, and what better a person than a competitor who goes by the moniker “Money?”
Floyd Mayweather is one of the most polarizing individuals in sports today. Whether it is the way he fights, how he selects his opponents, or his behavior outside of the ring, it is very easy to find a reason to dislike the multiple-time world champion boxer. Even still, there is no denying that the man knows how to promote himself into million-dollar paydays. A recent article in Forbes outlined how the fighter has made more $400 million dollars during his career. This money comes from his large fight purses and deals such as the one he currently has with Showtime. Mayweather knows how to make money, and his practices, while controversial, are effective.
This is why his recent statement on fighter pay in MMA is worth attention. His comments during an interview with Fight Hype have insiders wondering if “Money” will truly change how MMA fighters are paid.
“When I get into the MMA game, I want them to make more money than they’re making because from what I hear, they’re not being treated fair,” Mayweather said during the interview. “Once again, I don’t have anything to say about nobody. I’m only talking about what I’m here to do. I’m here to treat fighters fair, I’m here to treat MMA fighters fair, and I feel that the talent should win.”
Mayweather has said negative things about the sport of MMA in the past, but if he were to take steps into the promotion of mixed martial arts, the results would be worth watching. He brought up the names of Showtime and CBS, networks that have worked with MMA in the past. Perhaps Mayweather could flex his promotional muscle to convince these networks to broadcast the sport once again if his name is a part of the marquee.
Promotional star power is still a puzzle that even the UFC has not completely figured out. Outside of Georges St. Pierre (and some would argue against him being a true superstar) the organization has struggled to make anyone else a bona fide recognizable name in the sport. Would Mayweather and his team of business partners be able to do different? The potential is there, because his “rub” has done wonders for others in the past. Marcos Maidana and Saul Alvarez both experienced their largest paydays to date when they stepped into the ring with Mayweather. Since then, Alvarez’s star has continued to grow, as he garners attention as a potential boxing superstar.
Should Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship be worried? Absolutely not. As other attempts have shown, the process of developing a viable mixed martial arts organization is a long and arduous one. Yet Mayweather’s comments are still interesting at face value. Were he to commit his attention to mixed martial arts along with boxing promotion once his fighting career is over, there would be some interest in his moves. He’s proven that he knows how to make money in the world of combat sports; perhaps he would be true to his word and allow that money to trickle down to the fighters. Either way, it would be a spectacle worth watching.
