{"id":19176,"date":"2019-08-06T13:01:19","date_gmt":"2019-08-06T18:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/?p=19176"},"modified":"2023-03-22T06:42:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T11:42:54","slug":"boxers-vs-mma-fighters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/boxers-vs-mma-fighters\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Boxers Make More Than MMA Fighters?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Expert contributors:
\n<\/em><\/strong>Gennady Golovkin\u2019s promoter: Tom Loeffler (@TomLoeffler1<\/strong><\/a>)
\nWBO European middleweight champion Luke Keeler (@luke_keeler<\/a><\/strong>)<\/em><\/p>\n

The boxing versus MMA debate has been raging on for some time now, with the emergence of the UFC and its rampant rise to prominence among fight fans in recent years seeing this rivalry reach substantial heights.<\/p>\n

MMA, and the UFC in particular, has become hugely popular since hitting the mainstream media. Even the most diehard boxing fans find themselves crossing over their interests from bouts in the ring to the octagon.<\/p>\n

While the leading mixed martial arts organisation in the world has boasted plenty of top names throughout its history, it\u2019s controversial Irishman Conor McGregor that has been key to the UFC\u2019s stature sky rocketing.<\/p>\n

What the high-profile Dubliner brings most to the table is money. Which brings us to the ongoing topic of conversation: why do boxers make more money than MMA fighters?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Or is that even the case? Read on as we discuss and analyse the financial situation in both sports.<\/p>\n

What are the main differences between boxing and MMA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Starting with the obvious.<\/p>\n

MMA incorporates a wide variety of fighting techniques, including Muay Thai, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu or wrestling etc. Boxing is limited to just punches to the head or body in order to knock an opponent out or to win on points.<\/p>\n

\"Conor
Image: ‘UFC 189 World Tour Aldo vs. McGregor London 2015’ by Flickr\/AndriusPetrucenia<\/a> is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the top level, professional boxing matches are contested over 12 three-minute rounds, with MMA bouts typically fought over three or five five-minute rounds. Boxers also wear more padded gloves which usually are 8oz or 10oz, and MMA fighters compete in much smaller ones (often 4oz) with fingers free for grappling.<\/p>\n

Boxers can prevail in any fight by decision or a stoppage, with MMA competitors able to do the same but also having the submission route to victory too.<\/p>\n

Who makes more money? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Now that that\u2019s out of the way, it\u2019s down to the financial aspects of both sports. So, who makes more of the two types of combatants?<\/p>\n

Boxers are the most common perception, due to the astronomical purses stars like Floyd Mayweather Jr and more recently Saul \u2018Canelo\u2019 Alvarez and Anthony Joshua pick up from fight night.<\/p>\n

The fact \u2018Money\u2019 Mayweather made a guaranteed $100 million for a single ring outing proves that he is doing very well but nothing of how the rest of the professional prizefighters are compensated.<\/p>\n

\"Floyd
Image: ‘Floyd Mayweather Jr.’ by Flickr\/SoMaxO <\/a>is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s also a fact that some UFC prelims fighters earn a lot more than boxers lower down on fight cards in their own sport.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s always the assumption looking at someone of Mayweather\u2019s stature that boxers earn a lot more, though that doesn\u2019t tell the whole story across the board.<\/p>\n

The reality is that the majority of fighters live from fight to fight.<\/p>\n

Journeymen boxers could get from \u00a3250 to \u00a31,000 per bout, while a top prospect may earn \u00a32,500 to \u00a35,000 each outing. Over the course of 12 months, a decent talent could be involved in several fights that could see him land a pre-tax salary of \u00a325,000, according to Business Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But the overall truth of the matter is yes, boxers tend to make more money than MMA fighters, particularly at the elite level, as we will explain.<\/p>\n

\"UFO
Image: licensed under Wikipedia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why do boxers make more than MMA fighters?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Well, there are a host of different reasons behind this in the current climate:<\/p>\n