UFC's Undercard and Underpaid Fighters - Jorge Rivera for Example

It’s easy for the casual fan to get caught up in the glamour and glitz of the UFC and to think that its fighters have it made, but the reality of the situation is that life on the bottom of the league is grind each and every day.

Many fans have scoffed at the recent articles claiming that Dan Henderson asked for a seven-figure signing bonus, but the reality of the situation is that MMA fighters are wise to get as much money as they can before injuries, old age, and even a bad performance or two seriously damage or put an end to their earning potential.

Consider the case of Jorge Rivera, a middleweight who is set to fight Rob Kimmons on the depths of the undercard at UFC 104. Not too many people besides hardcore MMA fans and MMA bettors even know about the fight, but it figures to be a great matchup between two hard-working, talented professional athletes.

What makes it even more compelling is that the fighters are both literally fighting paycheck to paycheck, hoping to squeeze as much money out of their fight and as much buzz as possible from the UFC fans.

Winning is very important, but with the small salaries these guys receive, the need to put on a show and win submission of the night, knockout of the night, or fight of the night bonuses can be just as important.

Rivera will get 18 grand to show and 18 grand if he beats Kimmons in their UFC 104 bout, but the fight bonuses are often worth much more than that total.

That’s what makes it so difficult as well for the undercard fighters like Kimmons and Rivera. They go out in front of a restless crowd that’s only out for blood and instead of fighting their fight, they’re more concerned about trying to go for a flashy knockout or submission and/or avoiding the inevitable shower of boos that comes from each minor period of stalling.

On top of that, a bad performance in a win (a boring performance, that is) could cause the UFC to seriously look at cutting that fighter for a more entertaining fighter or personality, and an injury can often be catastrophic as it will force a guy out of work for months that could be spent making more money to feed their families, buy a house, or something else of the utmost importance.

Until the UFC comes up with some sort of union to help these lesser fighters out, this situation will continue to unfold, because the money situation is a bit shaky for many of these guys right now.

A union seems a ways off, so for now, cut these guys some slack. Whether it’s “selling out” to latest trendy clothing company or supplement brand or trying something crazy and getting knocked out for it, making fans happy is a big deal to these guys, and they’re only human.

Keep that in mind next time you go to a UFC event and be sure to give these warriors the support they deserve.