The UFC does not currently have a long-term health benefit plan for fighters dealing with injuries after their careers are over, but promotion president Dana White has hinted that change is coming.
In a recent impromptu Q&A triggered by UFC commentator Karyn Bryant on Instagram, White was asked by a fan the following question:
“Will the UFC ever offer their fighters full time health benefits so they can have them after their careers are over and possibly deal with life altering issues from fighting (?)”
White responded, “Soon.”
While short and without further details, the acknowledgment is the first time since 2011 that White has made public comments indicating the promotion is working on such a benefits package. As things stand, the UFC only formally offers medical benefits for fighters on the active roster who experience immediate injuries as a result of fights or training camps.
For years, the UFC’s insurance policy only covered injuries suffered in competition. The requirements were enforced by the respective athletic commissions who sanctioned events. Training injury coverage was added to the policy in May 2011.
2011: Fighter pension ‘something we’d love to do’
Weeks after the addition of training injury coverage, White voiced openness to the addition of a pension plan in an interview with MMA Junkie. He used Roy Jones Jr. as an example of what he hoped wouldn’t happen to MMA fighters but said it was ultimately up to the athletes to make it happen.
“If we can figure out something for a fighter pension, that’s something we’d love to do. But it goes right along with, ‘What do you think about a fighter’s union?’ That’s up to the fighters. That’s not up to me. I (couldn’t) care less. It doesn’t matter to us.
“… Listen, you fight and you make $1 million. You’re like, ‘Holy sh*t, I have a million dollars.’ No, you don’t. These guys pay a percentage to this guy, a percentage to that guy. The government comes in and takes half of what you made.
“Then the end of the year comes, and … you owe ($1.5 million) in taxes. But you went out and bought a house, bought some cars, went on some trips. The next thing you know, you’re broke.
“… We’re trying to prevent a situation where guys retire and they retire with nothing.”
White added that if the UFC formed a pension plan, some obstacles would exist. In White’s estimation, fighters would not be thrilled about the company taking a portion of their purses to hold until they needed it down the line.
“Let me tell you what – fighters don’t want to share with anybody, and fighters don’t want us taking a piece of their money. Taking some out and saying, ‘We’re going to put it over here and invest it for you.’ Guys are like, ‘I need all that money, and I want it now.’
“So it sounds like a great idea, and it sounds like something to do, but it’s a lot harder than people think.”
2016: White combative toward Cerrone remarks
In 2016, White voiced less optimism when asked about comments made by Donald Cerrone, in which the longtime UFC and WEC contender said he’d like to see the promotion invest in fighter retirement funds (transcript via The Mac Life).
“We have a health insurance plan now,” White said. “If anything happens to them in the octagon, they’re fully covered for anything. We cover everything that happens to them, but outside now we have a deal for when they’re training – because a lot of guys get hurt in training. Is it the greatest policy ever? No.
“But let me tell you something: Don’t ever be mistaken about why insurance companies are in business. They’re in business to make money, and (when you insure them) you don’t make money on 500 ultimate fighters, because they’re always hurt.
“… And when we talk about post-fight, ‘Cowboy’ and all the other fighters, you’re making a million-something (dollars) this year,” White said. “That is your retirement. You can’t live off the sponsorship money and throw $1.3 million in the bank? And do that for the next couple of years? And then hopefully invest your money wisely – that’s all of our situations, we’re all in that same situation.
“When you look at these guys and you think a guy who never held the title, and a guy who has only headlined three events for the UFC is making millions of dollars.”
2021: White dismissive about Fisher’s struggles
The most recent public discussion of fighter benefits that White contributed to surrounded Spencer Fisher, who has been battling a number of long-term health issues he says occurred as a result of his fighting career, including memory loss and mental health issues.
“Listen, we’re all learning every day about the brain injury stuff,” White said. “We’ve been investing in this (Lou) Ruvo Center to try to figure out more. We’re now interested (about) this thing just came out on ‘Real Sports’ about psychedelics, and we’ve actually reached out to the Johns Hopkins guys, and we’re diving into that.
“But listen, (Fisher)’s not the first, and he’s definitely not going to be the last. This is a contact sport, and everybody who’s ever done this (while) younger, myself included, is dealing with brain issues. It’s just part of the gig.”
California does its part for MMA fighters
In early May, California State Athletic Commission head Andy Foster told MMA Fighting that the governing body hopes to expand an already existing boxer pension fund to MMA athletes, as well – a process that could take two to three years.
“Hopefully, we’ll get a lot of good support from the athletes themselves,” CSAC chair John Carvelli added. “This is the right thing to do.”
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