A former UFC fighter recently made waves on social media by sharing his payslip to shed light on the reality of fighter earnings in the industry. John Makdessi, a seasoned veteran with 20 UFC fights under his belt, was let go from the MMA promotion after his loss to Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 293 in September 2023.
In a close fight that ended in a unanimous decision in favor of Mullarkey, Makdessi found himself on the losing end. The judges scored the bout 29-28, marking the end of Makdessi’s tenure with the promotion. Following his final fight with the UFC, Makdessi took to social media to reveal his payslip, showing a gross show purse of $58,000.00.
However, after hefty taxes totaling $26,100.00, including a significant 45% foreign tax deduction, Makdessi’s take-home pay amounted to $28,461.65. The payslip also outlined deductions for ‘medical’, ‘airfare’, and ‘others’. Makdessi expressed his frustrations with the situation, lamenting the financial impact of such deductions.
Despite his disappointment, Makdessi’s UFC journey has been noteworthy. He entered the promotion as an unbeaten fighter, making his debut at UFC 124 in December 2010. Throughout his career, Makdessi faced off against notable opponents and secured victories over fighters like Sam Stout, Daron Cruickshank, and Ross Pearson.
The issue of fighter pay in the UFC has been a hot topic, with figures like Jake Paul advocating for higher minimum pay for athletes. Paul has called for a minimum pay of $50,000 for UFC fighters, emphasizing the significant impact it could have on their quality of life and ability to focus on their craft without financial stress.
As discussions around fighter pay continue, Makdessi’s transparency about his earnings serves as a stark reminder of the financial realities faced by many athletes in the industry. By sharing his payslip, Makdessi has sparked conversations about the need for fair compensation and support for fighters who dedicate their lives to the sport.
