Paulo Costa Questions UFC Pay, Compares Raoni Barcelos’ Estimated Purse With Rampage Jackson’s $7m Payday
UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has reignited debate over fighter compensation after questioning the reported financial rewards for Brazilian fighter Raoni Barcelos compared with former UFC star Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. In a post on October 15, Costa cited Jackson’s account of earning $7 million for his fight against Chuck Liddell and contrasted it with an estimated $80,000 to $100,000 for Barcelos’ five-round bout against Raul Rosas Jr. The figure for Barcelos has not been independently verified.
Jackson’s reported earnings included pay-per-view revenue, according to his account, rather than a confirmed flat appearance fee. Costa used the comparison to criticise the relationship between fighter pay, the demands of a lengthy contest and the physical consequences fighters may face. However, his comments about Barcelos’ estimated purse and health were not supported by publicly released payment records or a confirmed medical diagnosis.
Barcelos lost to Rosas by fifth-round TKO on September 26 and later revealed that he was awaiting medical results after undergoing an MRI and neurological tests. He said he had not decided whether to retire and would rely on medical advice before determining his future. Costa’s latest criticism adds to his ongoing public frustration with UFC compensation, but he has not announced a contract settlement or a confirmed fight elsewhere.
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