The Fighter & The Kid The UFC Has A Fighter Pay Problem | TFATK Ep. 1171
Mar 12, 2026
They dig into the Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall standoff and why the matchup may never happen. The conversation explores fighter pay, UFC contract leverage, and shifting power as athletes seek alternatives. Pop culture detours include lightning stories, anti-aging science, and true crime speculation.
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UFC Money Won’t Recruit Future Stars
- UFC fighter pay is collapsing motivation: Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen say top athletes leave because contracts don't support living wages despite huge media deals.
- They cite the $7.7B deal and note fighter pay remains ~15–18% of revenue, so stars and grassroots recruitment are shrinking.
From Football To UFC Was Once A Viable Path
- Brendan recounts transitioning from football to UFC with peers like Brock Lesnar and Matt Mitrione to show early crossover promise.
- He uses his own career to illustrate why top athletes once saw UFC as a viable path, which has since faded.
Pay Fighters Living Wages And Build North Stars
- Pay fighters a living wage and create superstar 'north stars' to attract talent and give younger athletes something to aim for.
- Bryan Callen argues long-term business health requires making examples of stars and funding basic fighter stability.