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#4. CNBC interview with the UFC owner
Earlier this year, UFC parent company owner Ari Emanuel appeared on the chat show Squawk on the Street. Dana White also joined the interview via video conference. Eventually, the question about fighter pay was asked.
White immediately went on the defensive:
"That's been going on twenty years, and it'll be going on the next twenty years too... I don't think you're ever going to see a scenario where fighters, or anybody for that matter, say they are being overpaid. You don't see guys bringing in revenue, complaining about pay''
The UFC president essentially shifted the blame to the fighters. Emanuel also defended him, saying that since 2005, pay has increased by over 600%.
#3. On the ESPN show, First Take
In June 2020, everyone was waiting for the Fight Island reveal. Dana White appeared on ESPN's First Take to give fans all the details. He explained that Fight Island was in Abu Dhabi. UFC 251 will be the first event to take place there. Inevitably the question about how much fighters will make came up.
Former NFL cornerback turned writer and commentator Domonique Foxworth was also present. When White explained the issues with Masvidal and Jones, Foxworth countered:
''If it's just those two guys then I feel like I could get on board and understand... but there is a long history of issues with the labor in UFC not feeling that they are getting just payment."
Dana White became livid. He spoke of how hard it was to organize these events during the pandemic:
"You don't hear me out here crying about, no, I don't get any gates. I don't have this and I don't have that... and if you think it's easy to be a business owner right now, you're right out of your mind.''
The back and forth continued for a while, but was ultimately inconclusive.
