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Wednesday, Sep 14, 2016

Demetrious Johnson Says UFC’s “Champions Don’t Get Paid The Top Dollars”

Demetrious Johnson

By FCF Staff

Recently many UFC fighters have been campaigning for  ‘super-fights’ that could generate big draws, with or without a title, and Demetrious Johnson understands why.

For years, most of the promotion’s biggest bouts have been championship fights or title shot eliminators. As a result, the sport’s stars historically pushed for those type of match-ups.

But, in recent months, fighters like Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley and Eddie Alvarez, among others, have called for fights based on the names involved, rather than the rankings implications. In the case of Diaz – McGregor, the fights took place at 170 pounds, even though the latter is the featherweight champ.

Recently Johnson appeared on Submission Radio. While discussing why the flyweight champ hasn’t been as vocal about securing a ‘super-fight’, Johnson stated (quote via MMA Fighting.com):

“Doesn’t matter to me. My paycheck is exactly the same. I think you see a lot of guys who are starting to come out and say, ‘no I’m not going to fight that guy, even though he’s the number one contender because I want a better pay check,’ and you’re starting to see a lot of champions do it. I understand why they’re doing it; because the UFC have made it a point – champions don’t get paid the top dollars.

“And you’ve got a guy who can come out, who’s never lost – I have nothing against GSP, but I like to keep it real – you have a guy that hasn’t been active in three years and he’s (probably going to make) way more money than any champion on the roster – probably same as Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz – but that’s what the UFC has started to do.”

Johnson hasn’t fought since April when he quickly stopped Henry Cejudo. “Mighty Mouse” is expected to face the winner of TUF 24, sometime in December.

posted by FCF Staff @ 8:00 am
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