Vadim Nemkov Says UFC Fighters Deserve More Pay

PFL heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov has criticized UFC fighter pay, saying the promotion’s athletes receive too little despite the revenue involved. In an interview with Ushatayka, he said compensation and the physical cost of fighting were major factors in his decision not to sign with the UFC.

Nemkov's Concerns About UFC Pay

Nemkov said fighters who make bouts happen should receive a larger share of the money because of the toll fighting takes on their health. He also described seeing retired UFC fighters at an event and feeling that some appeared to be living modestly after their careers ended.

Nemkov did not identify the former fighters he saw. He recalled that many looked like ordinary blue-collar workers in worn clothing, an image that shaped his concerns about what happens financially when a fighter stops competing.

Why Nemkov Chose Not to Sign

Nemkov said he believed he could earn roughly twice as much outside the UFC. In his comparison, he would need to fight three times in the UFC to make what one fight elsewhere could pay. He said that earning potential was the main reason he did not sign, while also noting the risk fighters take with their health.

Nemkov is the PFL heavyweight champion. A heavyweight title fight is scheduled to headline PFL Dubai on Saturday, Nov. 14, with the event set to air at 1 p.m. ET on the ESPN app.