Israel Adesanya is the most recent fighter to speak out about Conor Benn’s big Zuffa Boxing purse.
Benn is reportedly being paid $15 million for his boxing match against Regis Prograis on April 26. The one-fight deal for Benn has stirred up controversy amongst MMA fighters, who rarely see that kind of payout.
Advertisement
The likes of Sean O’Malley and Michael Page have already expressed their discontent, and now former UFC middleweight champion Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) has chimed in.
“Zuffa Boxing is the next challenge he’s set his eyes on, but with that being said, don’t forget what… he started in boxing of course… but what brought you to the game? This is what got him to be the name Dana White, the UFC president,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “So I can see why the other fighters – do I feel jaded by it? No. I understand these guys are top-class fighters.
“They’re the best in the world at what they do, but so are we. This is the UFC, and if one guy can command that kind of money for one fight, and that’s from the same company, Zuffa, and this is what’s been keeping the lights on is the UFC. We love ultimate fighting, not limited fighting. I don’t feel jaded, but I want $15 million for one fight, too.”
Adesanya will return after a year-long layoff to take on rising middleweight Joe Pyfer in the UFC Fight Night 271 main event on March 28 from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle (Paramount+).
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Israel Adesanya considers new UFC asking price after Conor Benn’s payout
