Top Bantamweight Aljamain Sterling: Fighters Not Earning What They Deserve

MMA fighters, particularly those in the UFC, aren't taking in as much money as they should.

That's the opinion of Aljamain Sterling, a 12-0, 26-year-old bantamweight who recently became a free agent after nearly two years with the UFC.

Sterling addressed the sensitive topics of money and free agency Wednesday on Off the Ball, an Irish sports radio program airing on the NewsTalk station (h/t Raff Diallo of NewsTalk.com): 

"

The main thing is we are bringing in the big bucks in terms of the UFC's promotion. They're doing a phenomenal job promoting the sport and their brand which is the UFC. So with that they need a product and we are the product, so even if one individual fighter isn't a big enough name to promote or sell-out on pay-per-views or whatever it is, I do believe we are the product and we are the reason why they are where they are today.

"

Sterling's comments on name recognition appear to contrast with those of UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. In a December 28 interview with CNN Money's Rachel Crane (h/t Jesse Holland and Adam Guillen Jr. of MMA Mania), Fertitta pointed to the pay received by "the guys and girls at the top" as defense against ongoing charges that UFC athletes receive pay that is disproportionately low compared with that of other sports and based on the bodily risks they take.

"The fact of the matter is, our top athletes are making multi-millions of dollars," Fertitta said during the interview. "And what is happening is as the sport grows and compensation goes up and revenue goes up, you're starting to see that the guys and girls at the top are commanding a larger share of that pie." 

During the same interview, Fertitta revealed that the UFC (or, more specifically, UFC parent company Zuffa, which Fertitta co-owns) took in about $600 million in 2015. Zuffa, a private company, normally does not disclose revenue figures.

According to MMA Junkie, for his most recent UFC fight, a second-round submission win over Johnny Eduardo December 10 at UFC Fight Night 80, Sterling received a reported $28,000: $14,000 for showing and $14,000 for the win. Sterling also evidently received $2,500 in sponsorship dollars, based on the reported pay tiers for UFC's exclusive sponsorship deal with Reebok. 

During Wednesday's interview, Sterling had words for those who disagree with his comments or his approach to the negotiations process:

"

There've been a couple of fighters out there who have been chirping and saying 'Aljamain Sterling, all he does is whine and complain about money on Twitter'. But. ...I'm asking for a legitimate raise with legitimate reason for a raise. So if you consider that whining, I hate to see the offers UFC gives you guys and you just instantly sign because you guys are punks.

"

"

Bro, personal?! Our pay IS NOT personal. It's PUBLIC. U seem very sensitive tonight. Its ok pms must be for guys too https://t.co/V0itUcJpgI

— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) December 27, 2015"

Bleacher Report MMA ranked Sterling the sport's No. 6 ranked bantamweight in December. Since his UFC debut in February 2014, Sterling is 4-0 with two submissions, one knockout and one decision in his tenure.