Morning Report | Sean O’Malley reacts to Conor Benn reported Zuffa deal: ‘I’m not making f*cking $15 million’
MMA Fighting
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Sean O’Malley, a prominent UFC fighter, expressed disbelief at Conor Benn’s reported $15 million deal with Zuffa Boxing, highlighting the stark revenue disparity between boxing and MMA. While O’Malley has built a star persona in the UFC, he admitted to earning far less than top boxers, questioning how such a large sum is justified, especially for someone he claims he had never heard of before.
Historically, boxers have earned significantly more than UFC fighters, with fighters taking home only around 20% of the promotion’s revenue. This disparity left O’Malley feeling frustrated, as he invests immense effort and time to build his career but doesn’t see financial returns matching such high-profile deals. Despite this, he acknowledged that business decisions are often driven by profit, even if they seem extreme.
O’Malley also speculated on the motivations behind Zuffa Boxing’s move, suggesting it could be tied to Dana White’s competitive nature and long-standing rivalries with boxing promoters like Oscar De La Hoya and Eddie Hearn. He hinted that the deal might be an ego-driven attempt to outdo boxing by signing one of its biggest stars.
For sports enthusiasts, this story underscores the financial challenges faced by MMA fighters compared to their boxing counterparts and raises questions about revenue distribution in combat sports. It also highlights the business dynamics influencing fighter pay and promotional decisions, making it a crucial topic for fans interested in both MMA and boxing.
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 2/24/2026