Sean O\u2019Malley might be one of the UFC\u2019s biggest stars, but his paycheck isn\u2019t near what the top guys earn in boxing.<\/p>\n
Over the weekend, Zuffa Boxing made arguably its biggest splash move yet, signing British boxing star Conor Benn away from Matchroom Boxing<\/a>. The deal is reportedly a one-fight contract for $15 million, a significant payday for anyone in combat sports, and a towering figure compared to what most UFC fighters make. In fact, the number is so large that former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O\u2019Malley can\u2019t quite believe it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, it\u2019s so hard to believe,\u201d O\u2019Malley said on his YouTube channel. \u201cI did see it, I heard it, I\u2019ve been told. Tim told me, \u2018Did you see that?\u2019 That doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s true. I don\u2019t know. It could very well be true. I can\u2019t imagine it being true. Zuffa Boxing, they\u2019re paying out \u2014 I don\u2019t even know who Conor Benn is! Supposedly, he\u2019s a pretty big name in boxing, but I\u2019ve never f*cking heard of him.\u201d<\/p>\n Historically, big-name boxers have commanded significantly more money than UFC fighters, as boxers earn the lion\u2019s share of revenue from their events, while UFC fighters collectively pull in only around 20 percent of the promotion\u2019s revenue. And, unfortunately for O\u2019Malley, that means Benn, despite never holding a major title, is about to make more than the former bantamweight champion ever has.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they really paid him $15 million, it\u2019s like \u2014 It\u2019s crazy how you put in so much work in the UFC, puts in so much work in the UFC to build this name, create this character, be this star, and I\u2019m not making f*cking $15 million a fight,\u201d O\u2019Malley said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, it\u2019s also a business. If they think that\u2019s a good business move and that guy\u2019s going to bring in money, I get it. I don\u2019t take anything personal in business. Business is business.\u201d<\/p>\n And, there might be a little more to this than just business, at least, so says O\u2019Malley. Given the longstanding beef between Dana White and Oscar De La Hoya, and the recently fired-up beef between White and Eddie Hearn, O\u2019Malley says the big price tag may be a result of White\u2019s competitive nature.<\/p>\n \u201cZuffa Boxing is something that\u2019s taken over from Turki [Alsheikh],\u201d O\u2019Malley said. \u201cSo, if that\u2019s the case, Turki and Dana are in on this, and Dana really wants to do it because he f*cking hates Oscar De La Hoya, he hates Eddie Hearn, he hates these people. He\u2019s like, \u2018Hey, let\u2019s take their biggest star and pay him, even if it\u2019s $15 million.\u2019 I could see it being out of an ego thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Waiting. Conor McGregor vents frustration<\/a> with UFC negotiations with deleted tweet.<\/p>\n Options. Dana White responds to rumors<\/a> Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev are both considering new weight classes.<\/p>\n Callout. Nassourdine Imavov explains calling out<\/a> Sean Strickland after UFC Houston: \u2018I will leave him dead inside of the cage.\u2019<\/p>\n Plea. Diego Sanchez reaches plea agreement<\/a> for July arrest on multiple gun charges.<\/p>\n BMF. Jorge Masvidal addresses potential trilogy<\/a> against Nate Diaz: \u2018You want him to f*cking get slaughtered again?\u2019<\/p>\n Praise. Dricus du Plessis praises Israel Adesanya for \u2018putting his reputation on the line\u2019<\/a> against Joe Pyfer.<\/p>\n Retro. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 2<\/a> official for the Sphere in Las Vegas, fight streaming on Netflix.<\/p>\n Every fight of the year from the past 10 years.<\/p>\n BTS for the Rousey-Carano media announcement.<\/p>\n Bisping debates what\u2019s next for Sean Strickland.<\/p>\n SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE<\/p>\n Because the UFC is paying this one more.<\/p>\n These two are definitely going to fight.<\/p>\n Gina Carano is back in MMA. Strange times.<\/p>\n It seems so, but things are definitely a little wild right now.<\/p>\n Paul Hughes (14-3) vs. Jay Jay Wilson (11-2); PFL Belfast, April 16.<\/p>\n One day MMA fighters will figure out that making 20% of the UFC\u2019s revenue means they\u2019re getting short shrift. It won\u2019t be in my lifetime, probably, but one day it will happen.<\/p>\n If you find something you\u2019d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee<\/a> or @JedKMeshew<\/a> on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n