Want to make money doing MMA? Have you always wanted to become an MMA fighter and earn a living from it? Or are you an MMA enthusiast that wants to turn your passion into cash? Either way, this is the guide for you!
MMA fighting is a grueling sport that requires intense physical training, discipline, and determination. With the right strategy, you can turn your passion for the sport into a profitable career. In this article, we will discuss the different ways MMA fighters and MMA fans can make money, the do’s and don’ts, the five steps to financial success, frequently asked questions, and our final thoughts.
Why Make Money Doing MMA?
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the biggest fights. However, despite the popularity of the sport, many MMA fighters struggle to make ends meet. The life of an MMA fighter is not an easy one, with long hours of training, constant injuries, and the pressure of performing well in every fight. But there are other options, that allow fans of the sport to make money without ever entering the octagaon. In this article, we will give you a step-by-step guide on how to make money doing MMA.
Make Money Doing MMA: Fighters
MMA fighters can make money in several ways. Here are some of the most common ways fighters make money doing MMA.
1. Fight Purses
The most obvious way for an MMA fighter to make money is through fight purses. Fighters are paid a set amount for each fight, which can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars for the biggest stars. Fight purses are determined by various factors, including the fighter’s experience, record, and popularity.
2. Sponsorship Deals
MMA fighters can also earn money through sponsorship deals. Sponsors pay fighters to wear their brand on their shorts, shirts, and hats during their fights. The amount of money a fighter can earn from sponsorship deals depends on their popularity, fan base, and success in the sport.
3. Performance Bonuses
Performance bonuses are additional payments that fighters can receive for exceptional performances during their fights. These bonuses are typically awarded for things like knockout of the night, submission of the night, or fight of the night. Performance bonuses can be a significant source of income for fighters, especially those who consistently perform well.
4. Merchandise Sales
MMA fighters can also earn money through the sale of merchandise such as t-shirts, posters, and autographed memorabilia. The amount of money that fighters can make through merchandise sales depends on their popularity and fan base.
5. Coaching and Commentating
Finally, MMA fighters can also make money through coaching and commentating. Many retired fighters become coaches, training the next generation of MMA fighters. Others become commentators, providing expert analysis and commentary during fights. Both coaching and commentating can be lucrative careers for retired MMA fighters.
Make Money Doing MMA: Fans
6. Blogs, Vlogs, and Podcasts
Love MMA but don’t have the skill (yet) of a pro or even amateur fighter? Use your expertise and knowledge of the sport to talk or write about recent fights, predict wins, and interview other enthusiasts and fighters. Generate a large readership or viewership to earn money from affiliates and sponsorships as well as advertising. Need some more ideas about ways fans can make money doing MMA? Check out this webpage Top Ways MMA Fans Can Earn Money Online While Enjoying Their Favourite Sport.
7. Social Media Influencer
Engage with social media platforms like Tiktok, youtube, or Instagram to get your opinions heard. Create a brand, collect followers, and create unique content that speaks to your followers. Know exactly what kind of content MMA fans like you want to engage with and provide that service.
@alyseanderson21 @perfectsportstm ♬ original sound – Alyse Anderson
8. Photography and Freelance
Can you combine two of your interests to make money? Try photographing or writing articles on fights. Offer to do this for free at first until you build a portfolio of work. Fighters can use these for their own publicity, meanwhile, you build industry connections and a client base.
Do’s and Don’ts
If you want to make money as an MMA fighter, there are several things you should do and avoid. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do’s
- Train hard and consistently to improve your skills
- Build a strong fan base by engaging with your fans on social media and at events
- Network with other fighters, promoters, and industry insiders
- Be professional and respectful in and out of the ring
- Look for opportunities to earn money outside of fighting, such as coaching, commentating, and podcasting
- Do take time to build up your knowledge or client base
Don’ts
- Don’t underestimate the importance of marketing yourself
- Don’t neglect your physical skills and keep up to date with information in the sport
- Don’t take fights without proper preparation and training
- Don’t burn bridges in the industry by being unprofessional or disrespectful
- Don’t rely solely on fight purses to make a living
By following these do’s and don’ts, you can increase your chances of success as an MMA fighter and earn a living doing what you love.
5 Steps to Make Money Doing MMA
If you’re serious about making money as an MMA fighter, here are five steps you can take to achieve financial success:
1. Work Hard and Consistently
Whether you are wanting to make money doing MMA as a fighter or as a fan, you need dedication. MMA is a physically demanding sport that requires hours of training each day. By putting in the time and effort to improve your skills, you can become a more successful fighter and earn more money from fights and sponsorships. Building a brand and creating interesting and unique social media content isn’t easy either. You need to build your knowledge base, engage constantly with MMA news and events and produce quality content regularly. For example, you can get the low down on all the latest fights right here: McGregor vs Diaz, Khabib vs Gaethje, Fury vs Jones.
2. Build Your Brand
Building your brand is essential if you want to make money doing MMA. This applies to both fighters and fans and involves creating a strong social media presence, engaging with fans, and developing a personal brand that sets you apart from other fighters.
3. Network with Industry Insiders
Networking with other fighters, promoters, and industry insiders can open doors and help you find new opportunities to make money. Attend events, reach out to other fighters, and build relationships with people in the industry to expand your network.
4. Look for Opportunities Outside of Fighting
While fight purses are the most obvious way to make money as an MMA fighter, there are other opportunities to earn income. Consider coaching, commentating, or creating your own training programs or merchandise to supplement your income. What are your passions? Can you combine them with your love of MMA to make money? Is there something you can do that no one else is doing in MMA right now?
5. Manage Your Money Wisely
Finally, it’s essential to manage your money wisely. Especially as a fighter, MMA careers can be short-lived, and injuries can occur at any time, so it’s crucial to save and invest your money wisely to ensure long-term financial stability. Content creation is often a slow build, it can take years to develop a brand and reliable, popular content that consistently makes you money. You may need to consider this as you’re starting out.
Conclusion and final thoughts 💭
Making a living as an MMA fighter is not easy, but with hard work, determination, and a smart strategy, it’s possible to achieve financial success. By following the do’s and don’ts, implementing the five steps to financial success, and managing your money wisely, you can turn your passion for MMA into a profitable career.
FAQs
1. How much do MMA fighters make per fight?
Fight purses can range from a few thousand dollars to millions of dollars, depending on the fighter’s experience, record, and popularity.
2. Can MMA fighters make a living from fighting?
Yes, some MMA fighters can make a living from fighting, but it’s important to have other sources of income to ensure financial stability.
3. How important is building a brand in MMA?
Building a brand is essential to make money doing MMA, as it can help fighters attract sponsors, build a fan base, and earn more money from fights and merchandise sales.
4. Can retired MMA fighters make money from coaching and commentating?
Yes, coaching and commentating can be lucrative careers for retired MMA fighters.
5. How important is money management in MMA?
Money management is crucial in MMA, as careers can be short-lived and injuries can occur at any time. It’s essential to save and invest your money wisely to ensure long-term financial stability.
6. What are some other ways to make money in MMA besides fighting?
MMA fighters can also make money through sponsorship deals, performance bonuses, merchandise sales, coaching, commentating, blogging, podcasting, youtube videos, and influencing on social media.
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