UFC legend reveals details about new contracts in the Paramount+ era: 'More money'

Conor McGregor is the highest-paid athlete in MMA history. Photo: Reproduction

With the end of Ultimate events in 2025 and the transition of UFC Fight Pass to Paramount+, many fans and media members have begun to question what changes might arise for the fighters. For many years, champions received a share of the pay-per-view sales revenue as a bonus. However, according to Daniel Cormier, this dynamic has already changed.

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According to Cormier, who won the light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) belts throughout his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the company has already found ways to financially compensate athletes as early as 2025, so as not to depend on package sales.

“They’re already making more money, that’s the difference. People always ask, ‘What is the UFC going to do for the fighters?’ I know guys who are making more money than they did even when pay-per-view still existed, because maybe pay-per-view wasn’t selling as much as before. When I fought Jon Jones and (Anthony) ‘Rumble’ Johnson, and I had Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz on my card, I made a lot of money from pay-per-view. That’s not the reality today,” DC stated on the latest edition of the ‘ Weighin In ’ podcast last Sunday.

DC on fighters not receiving PPV points with the new Paramount deal

“I know guys now who are making more money now than they did even with PPV

I know guys now who said 'hey can I restructure with the idea that PPV is gone' and the UFC is like 'yes' and now it's like guaranteed… pic.twitter.com/QqgQg3pB3G

— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) December 29, 2025

According to Cormier, the change was motivated by the transformation in how fans have consumed numbered events over the years. Nowadays, people tend to find ways to watch the fights without spending money.

“Today, a large number of pay-per-views were 600.000, 500.000. Pay-per-views simply weren't selling that well. People are pirating on online streams, they're doing all these things, so the numbers just weren't good. I know guys who said, 'Hey, can I restructure my contract with the idea that pay-per-view is over?' The UFC responded, 'Yes,' and now it's guaranteed money. They're giving more money to these guys,” he concluded.

Daniel Cormier is one of the main commentators for the UFC. (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram)

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