Former UFC fighter Tyron Woodley revealed some details about his time under UFC, claiming he was paid the same rate as Donald Cerrone, who “never touched gold.”
Woodley was a former welterweight champ who managed to defend his title four times. However, after losing in his last four fights, “The Chosen One” stopped fighting in 2021. The losses, however, were not the only reason behind his departure. For Woodley, it was partly because of how the promotion was paying.
“I was going to leave the UFC after (fighting) Darren Till,” Woodley told Demetrious Johnson on the MIGHTYcast podcast. “I told them, ‘F*cking cut me, dog. Ya’ll don’t want me here. Why ya’ll keep holding on to me, dog?’ We (kept) fighting and sh*t every fight because you know how I was. I was a gorilla. … I knew the numbers so well. I knew what everybody was making. I’m not finna go out there and be making the same as ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
“That motherf*cker ain’t never touched gold in his life. That’s just a principle thing. Sometimes, when you’re an African-American in this game, they think you should just be appreciative. I’m not just appreciative. I’m thankful that you gave me an opportunity, but you didn’t give me the gifts. God gave me the gifts. I’m thankful to him.”
The issue is not new for the UFC, which is facing a lawsuit citing the same problem among present and former fighters. Recently, different personalities also discussed the matter, with MMA coach Eric Nicksick and MMA stars Derek Brunson and Francis Ngannou claiming to make more money outside the UFC. Company CEO Dana White recently negated the claims by specifically denying the boxing industry’s lucrative offerings, but Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya quickly countered the MMA exec.
“The only thing I have to say about that is I think I heard Dana White say something about, ‘These MMA fighters are not making more money in boxing.’ All I can say or do is laugh,” De La Hoya said weeks ago. “Like, are you kidding me? Why do you think MMA fighters are going into boxing and crossing over for the payday?”
