UFC fighter tweets Reebok sponsorship payment numbers

Paige VanZant

The UFC today sent an email to fighters and managers detailing the promotion’s compensation tiers under a Reebok sponsorship deal set to take effect in July.

The tenure-based tiers break down as follows: Fighters with 1 to 5 bouts will receive $2,500 per fight; 6 to 10 bouts get $5,000; 11 to 15 bouts get $10,000; 16 to 20 bouts get $15,000; and 21 bouts and above get $20,000.

Additionally, title challengers will receive $30,000, and champions will receive $40,000, according to the letter, today obtained by MMAjunkie. UFC officials verified the authenticity of the letter after UFC bantamweight Cody Gibson posted an image of it on Twitter.

“The above outlined compensation structure will result in UFC distributing the vast majority of the revenue generated through the AOP directly to the athletes,” stated the letter, which was signed by UFC President Dana White and Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. “We continue to believe the introduction of the official outfitting kits for our athletes is a beneficial investment, which will elevate and create long-term value for you, the UFC brand and the sport.”

Bouts cover those in the UFC as well as those fought under now-defunct promotions owned by Zuffa including WEC and Strikeforce. Payouts will come within 10 days of a bout and are calculated by adding previous appearances with scheduled bouts, stated the letter.

“The AOP compensation will be subject to compliance with the entire outfitting policy,” stated the letter.

This past December, the UFC and Reebok signed a six-year partnership reportedly worth $70 million that requires fighters to wear Reebok-branded apparel in connection with UFC events. The letter states, however, that athletes may retain their own sponsors “outside of UFC fight week official events, UFC produced content or other official UFC events.”

Additionally, fighters receive royalty payments on UFC/Reebok branded apparel that bears their likeness.

“Royalty payments will be made to fighters based on the terms of their UFC Merchandise Rights Agreement,” states the letter.

Check back with MMAjunkie for more on this story as it develops.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.