Sara McMann details Crypto partnership has put a bigger dent in how much fighters earn
After spending nearly ten years with the UFC, Sara McMann recently signed with rival mixed martial arts promotion, Bellator. The former UFC women's bantamweight title challenger opened up on how UFC fighters do not receive payment from Crypto.com despite promoting the company.
.@BellatorMMA has signed former Olympic silver medalist and world title challenger Sara McMann (@Sara_McMann) to an exclusive, multi-fight contract.
The decorated grappler will be a significant addition to BELLATOR's industry-leading 145lb division: bellator.com/article/bellat…
Speaking to Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie, McMann stated:
"I think that one of the hardest things for most fighters - and I'm not bashing the UFC, I understand why they did what they did from a business decision, but there were so many fighters that were making comparable, or sometimes more, from sponsorships than they were off of their fight purse."
McMann continued by sharing details on the UFC's partnership with Crypto.com, adding:
"At least Reebok and Venom actually pay the fighters. Right now, they're promoting Crypto, and the fighters see none of that money. It was really sad for me. It's really sad for me for the fighters because we have to make a living too. I think that other promotions keeping it the way that they have, it's pro-fighters. It sees where the organization, what they care about."
McMann is the latest in a long list of fighters who have called out the UFC for what they deem to be unfair pay. While the UFC reportedly agreed to a $175 million sponsorship with Crpyto.com, fighters allegedly see less than $1 million of that money per year, as $60,000 in bonuses are awarded at each pay-per-view event.
Watch Sara McMann discuss the UFC's partnership with Crypto.com below (starting at the 6:40 mark):
Sara McMann shares thoughts on leaving UFC
Sara McMann has become the latest fighter to part ways with the UFC after she signed a contract to join Bellator. The former UFC women's bantamweight title challenger opened up on why she was comfortable making such a decision.
Speaking to John Morgan of MMA Underground, McMann stated:
"I think that if I had done this like five years ago, I think I might've been a little more intimidated, but I really think that promotions outside of the UFC have really stepped it up... I think it's going to feel like a lot less of a shift than it would have previously."
McMann made her promotional debut at UFC 159 all the way back in 2013. She departs with a promotional record of 7-6. However, four of her losses have come to former bantamweight champions. McMann famously challenged Ronda Rousey for the UFC women's bantamweight championship in the main event of UFC 170.
Watch Sara McMann discuss leaving the UFC below:
For @Sara_McMann, seeing the rise of other promotions made leaving the #UFC a less intimidating decision.
"I really think that promotions outside of the UFC have really stepped it up. ... I think it's going to feel like a lot less of a shift than it would have previously." https://t.co/GOCXo8Rjvk