Jack Della Maddalena Defends UFC Pay Structure

Jack Della Maddalena puts out a Story supporting the UFC pay structure pic.twitter.com/QFIf1OKjtR

— Benny P 🇦🇺 (@Bendaman2001) June 10, 2025

Jack Della Maddalena doesn’t mind the UFC’s pay structure, which has faced severe criticism over the years. 

While UFC fighter pay has always been a controversial topic, the issue was recently highlighted in a documentary titled “Dark Side of the UFC” by Four Corners reporter Mahmood Fazal for ABC News In-depth. The piece accuses the UFC of paying fighters low wages, limiting competition and binding them in restrictive contracts. 

Maddalena came to the promotion’s defense, justifying the disparity in pay between stars and entry-level fighters.

"I love this company and everything it stands for,” Maddalena wrote on his Instagram Stories. “It has [brought] me joy since I was 12. If you don't like the contract, don't sign it. If the bottom guys get paid as much as the top guys, there would be no incentive to get to the top."

While UFC stars can earn standard payday based on how big of a draw they are, most fighters still have a 50/50 show/win pay structure. The pay for relatively untested newcomers is reportedly as low as $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win in some cases. Former middleweight champ Sean Strickland recently claimed the UFC roster is filled with foreigners as they are willing to fight for lower wages than Americans. 

Meanwhile, Maddalena dethroned Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315 in Canada last month. He is expected to face former lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev at a future event.