Aljamain Sterling Explodes Over UFC Pay
Aljamain Sterling has reignited the UFC fighter pay debate, declaring "there is no negotiating" for better compensation amid Zuffa's recent spending spree. Sterling's outburst comes as Dana White confirmed the secretive UFC White House card is finalized, with the official lineup to be revealed before UFC 326. Henry Cejudo is seeking "revenge" against Merab Dvalishvili at RAF08.
The fighter pay debate in the UFC is intensifying, largely fueled by the promotion's parent company, TKO Group, making high-profile expenditures. A recent focal point for fighter discontent is Zuffa Boxing's reported one-fight deal with boxer Conor Benn, worth around $15 million. This figure, underwritten by Saudi company Sela, has drawn public frustration from UFC fighters who see a stark contrast with their own earnings. This disparity is central to a long-running legal battle. The UFC recently reached a $375 million settlement in a class-action antitrust lawsuit with over 1,000 fighters who competed between 2010 and 2017. The lawsuit alleged that the UFC suppressed fighter compensation through anticompetitive practices. A second lawsuit covering fighters from 2017 onwards is still in progress, seeking not only damages but also changes to the UFC's business model. The controversy comes as the UFC prepares for a historic and costly event on the South Lawn of the White House, scheduled for June 14, 2026. The event, which coincides with President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, is projected to cost upwards of $60 million and is not expected to turn a profit. No tickets will be made publicly available for the event, which will feature fighters walking from the Oval Office to the Octagon. The full lineup for the White House card is set to be announced just before UFC 326 on March 8, 2026. That event is headlined by a BMF title rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Aljamain Sterling, a central figure in the revived pay debate, recently competed in a wrestling match at a Real American Freestyle (RAF) event on February 28. Following his win, he vocally demanded a UFC featherweight title shot, expressing frustration with the promotion's matchmaking and his perceived value. The "revenge" match mentioned between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili is not a UFC fight but a freestyle wrestling bout. The match is scheduled to headline RAF08 in Philadelphia on April 18, 2026. This follows their UFC 298 mixed martial arts fight, which Dvalishvili won.
