Vadim Nemkov says UFC fighters "get paid mere pennies" and he earns about twice as much in PFL

The PFL heavyweight champion says money was a major reason he never signed with the UFC, ahead of his first title defence in Dubai on November 14.

PFL heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov says UFC fighters are paid far too little for the money the promotion makes, and that money was, for the most part, why he never signed with it.

Speaking to the Russian outlet Ushatayka, in comments translated by Sherdog, Nemkov said: "The UFC is a huge money-making machine, so to speak. There are massive sums involved, and the fighters get paid mere pennies. Those who put on the show, those who make the fights happen, they should be earning much more because of the heavy toll on their health."

He said he had seen retired UFC veterans at an event, and that "half of them looked like regular blue-collar workers in worn-out shirts." On his own decision, Nemkov said he would, "roughly speaking, earn twice as much here. If I fight here once, there I would have to fight three times."

Nemkov (20-2, 1 NC) makes the first defence of his PFL heavyweight title against fellow Russian Sergei Bilostenniy at PFL Dubai on Saturday, November 14, with the main card starting at 6pm UK time.

READ NEXTVadim Nemkov defends PFL heavyweight title against Sergei Bilostenniy in Dubai on November 14Read the next story →

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