TLDR
- Arman Tsarukyan claims UFC fighters are receiving higher pay after the promotion’s $7.7 billion Paramount deal
- Tsarukyan says his own pay doubled after renegotiating his contract in 2026
- UFC champions are now earning $4 million instead of $2 million, according to the fighter
- The lightweight contender believes mid-level UFC fighters earn more than mid-level boxers
- Tsarukyan will face Urijah Faber in a grappling match on April 18 at RAF 8 in Philadelphia
Sources: sports.yahoo.com
UFC fighters are receiving higher pay in 2026 following the promotion’s new television contract with Paramount, according to lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. The deal is worth $7.7 billion over seven years.
Tsarukyan spoke with boxing star Ryan Garcia earlier this week about fighter compensation. During their conversation, he explained that the UFC has already started increasing salaries for fighters across the roster.
“They’ve already started paying more because of the new deal,” Tsarukyan said. “Now, they’ve changed all deals. Guys are getting more money, even me. We re-signed my contract.”
The lightweight contender said his own pay has doubled under his renegotiated contract. He also claimed that UFC champions are seeing similar increases in their earnings.
Ryan Garcia just sparred Arman Tsarukyan’s 220-lb training partner for $40,000 😳 pic.twitter.com/4KWiOBOSQr
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 9, 2026
Champions Making Double Their Previous Pay
According to Tsarukyan, fighters at the championship level are now earning twice what they made before the Paramount deal. “For example, if they got paid $2 million, now they get $4 million,” he stated.
However, Tsarukyan believes UFC fighters still earn less than top boxers. He told Garcia that while boxing’s biggest names make more money, mid-level UFC fighters actually earn more than mid-level boxers.
“Guys like you get paid five times more than a UFC champion,” Tsarukyan told Garcia, who holds the WBC welterweight championship. “But if there is a medium fighter, who is top 10 or 12, he’s earning more than boxing guys.”
The UFC fighter said he expects the pay gap to continue closing over the next few years. “In three or four years, it’s gonna change, for sure,” he predicted.
Tsarukyan also shared his opinion on what champions should earn. “If you’re a UFC champion and you defend your title, you gotta make $10 million at least,” he said.
UFC President Dana White had promised that fighter pay would increase when the Paramount deal was announced. However, Justin Gaethje raised questions about those claims in January.
Gaethje said he didn’t earn any extra money for his fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January. His comments created doubt about whether all fighters were benefiting from the new television contract.
Tsarukyan Staying Active With Grappling Match
The number one ranked lightweight contender does not currently have a UFC fight scheduled. Instead, he is competing in a grappling match to stay active.
Tsarukyan will face UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber at RAF 8 on April 18. The grappling match is set for the co-main event at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The main event of RAF 8 features Merab Dvalishvili taking on Henry Cejudo. Both former UFC champions will also compete in a grappling match rather than an MMA fight.
Tsarukyan remains the top contender in the UFC’s lightweight division. He has not fought since his last appearance in the octagon, but the grappling match against Faber will keep him sharp while waiting for his next UFC booking.
