Michael 'Venom' Page finds Conor Benn's situation 'disheartening' - 'Give guys what they deserve'
Conor Benn's $15 million purse from Zuffa Boxing has sparked a heated debate among UFC fighters, as the parent company TKO assures investors the funds are directly from Saudi Arabia. While this may ease shareholders' minds, UFC fighters remain unmoved, viewing it as a less profitable side project where boxers are lavishly compensated while they continue to await Paramount+ money.
Michael 'Venom' Page, a UK star who joined the UFC with high hopes, has struggled to secure fights in his weight class. He's now set to face an unranked and unknown opponent, Sam Patterson. Perhaps this is why he's been vocal about the Benn situation, as he believes he's already on the outs with management.
Page expressed his frustration to Sky Sports, stating, 'It's just hurtful to see the money go that way for somebody that, for me, is not at the top of his field.' He praised Benn as a great boxer and a fan favorite, but argued that in his division, Benn is nowhere near the best.
Page pointed out the stark contrast between the financial treatment of boxers and UFC fighters. He highlighted the story of Francis Ngannou, a heavyweight champion who was broke and had to borrow money. Page believes that such disparities could be easily addressed by simply giving fighters what they deserve.
He emphasized the struggles of fighters at the bottom of the payscale, those entering the UFC with contracts as low as $10k to show and $10k to win. Considering taxes and expenses, it's challenging for them to make a living. Page suggested that a simple solution would be to ensure that fighters receive fair compensation, allowing them to train better and become better athletes.
Page concluded, 'So when you see somebody get paid that amount of money from the same person that's not paying you on this side, it's just disheartening.' This won't be the last time UFC fighters discuss this issue, as the expansion of Zuffa Boxing and the booking of more Saudi mega-shows will only highlight the cognitive dissonance between boxers and UFC fighters.
