Jared Cannonier wants million-dollar UFC contracts after years on top

Jared Cannonier is fighting Christian Leroy Duncan (14-2) in the co-main event of UFC Oklahoma City, marking his 21st appearance in the Octagon since joining the UFC in 2015. The veteran middleweight contender used the opportunity to voice his frustration with fighter compensation in the premier MMA promotion, arguing that his pay does not reflect his level of accomplishment and tenure at the elite level.

Cannonier, 42, has been a consistent top-five and top-ten middleweight contender for seven to eight years, yet he believes his contract compensation falls far short of what he deserves. Speaking to Full Send MMA, he stated that he should be earning million-dollar contracts rather than the $100,000-range deals he has been offered, given his sustained performance and marketability at the sport's highest level. While acknowledging that compensation should reflect skill level and marketability, Cannonier argues the UFC's pay structure undervalues established veterans.

The fighter also pointed to changes in sponsorship rules implemented over a decade ago as a factor limiting fighter earnings beyond base salary. Those rule changes narrowed alternative revenue streams that once supplemented fighter income, leaving athletes with fewer financial opportunities. Cannonier stressed he is not complaining but wanted to be clear about his position: elite fighters who have proven themselves over years of competition deserve pay comparable to top athletes in other professional sports. His remarks reflect broader frustration within the MMA community about fighter compensation relative to the promotion's revenue and the athletes' contribution to the sport's growth.