Michael Page has expressed frustration regarding Conor Benn’s reported $15 million one-fight contract with Zuffa Boxing, Dana White’s boxing promotion. Page’s discontent stems from the perception that White is prioritizing large payouts for certain boxers over fair compensation for fighters across the sport.
Concerns About Fighter Compensation Amid New Boxing Partnerships
Page shared his views on The Boys in the Back podcast, explaining his doubts about the recent Paramount partnership and its benefits for athletes:
“I feel like everyone is trying to get me in trouble here,”
he said.
“It’s not something I’m happy about. When the announcement of the Paramount, big money partnership came, people were asking me, are you excited about this? My answer was, what does it mean for the fighters? Until we understand how that will translate to the fighters, there’s nothing really to be excited about. I heard about, if you want to call it an increase to, the bonus structure. This is why I wasn’t bothered to be excited, for me, that doesn’t do enough, compared to the amount of money they just brought in for themselves.”
Page further criticized Dana White’s approach, noting the apparent disparity between White’s enthusiasm for ventures outside traditional boxing and his valuation of the fighters who helped establish his reputation:
“Dana White has always been excited about the boxing world, and doing other things, like the Slap Fighting. But, to see how highly he values people outside the sport that kind of built his reputation is just upsetting, to be fair.”
Fellow Fighters Share Frustration Over Benn’s Deal
Michael Page is not alone in his dissatisfaction with Benn’s contract, as fellow UFC fighter Sean O’Malley has also voiced irritation over Benn’s payday. Despite these frustrations, there is little indication that these sentiments will affect fighter compensation broadly. Page acknowledges that his main focus remains winning fights and securing available bonuses, which have recently increased to $100,000 with an additional $25,000 for finishes.
Upcoming UFC Return for Michael Page
Page is scheduled to compete at UFC London against Sam Patterson, returning to welterweight after a successful middleweight debut. Holding a professional record of 24 wins and 3 losses, Page comes off a win against Jared Cannonier and previously defeated Shara Magomedov. This fight presents an important opportunity for Page to continue building momentum within the UFC.
Implications of Pay Disparities in Combat Sports
Page’s criticism highlights ongoing tensions within combat sports regarding fighter compensation, particularly as crossover deals like Benn’s garner significant attention. The emphasis on substantial payouts for a few individuals raises questions about fairness and the long-term impact on athlete morale and promotion strategies. Observers will be closely watching how these financial dynamics evolve, especially within UFC and Zuffa’s expanding boxing ventures.
“This is why I wasn’t initially excited about [the Paramount deal], because for me, [the bonus increase] doesn’t do enough compared to the amount of money they’ve just brought in for themselves.
To see how highly [Dana White] values people outside the sport that kind of built… pic.twitter.com/nDDpoPWh4R
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 24, 2026
