California Signs Bill For An MMA Fighter Retirement Benefit Fund

California has rubber-stamped an MMA fighter retirement benefit fund into law, becoming the first state to do so, which will begin in 2024.

The news comes after the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, signed Assembly Bill 1136 on October 8th, 2023. The initiative was put forward by Matt Haney, an assembly member from San Francisco, in February this year. It was also supported by several MMA fighters, including Ronda Rousey.

Fighters’ Protection

The bill received mass support as it passed unanimously in the Senate (34-0) and Assembly (76-0). The news was also significant in that California had a similar initiative for boxers that began in 1982 known as the California Professional Boxer’s Pension Fund. And now, MMA fighters will have the chance to get their own share.

The bill will allow MMA fighters who have participated in 39 rounds of MMA in the state of California to become entitled to get some funds once they reach the age of 50.

As per the California Department of Consumer Affairs, a single dollar that is generated from each ticket sale will be used to support the fund. The other avenues for raising funds will include tailor-made items that are sold.

“MMA promotions have seen immense growth in the past three decades, and those fighters who came to California to compete deserve compensation in retirement. It is time MMA fighters get their share,” Andy Foster (CSAC Executive Officer)

Fighters’ Pay

The news has been a long time coming ever since criticism had emerged over whether fighters were being recompensed. Surprisingly, Jake Paul was very vocal about the need for fighting to be paid.

This often resulted in verbal shots being fired against Dana White. But in reality those changes have now resulted in fighters being paid once their career is over.

“You know, now that the company is making billions of dollars a year, and the fighters are only getting 15 percent of it. The fighter minimum in the UFC is $12,500. It should be at least $50,000.

“If they made it $50,000, that would change the smaller fighters’ lives in a big, big, big way. They wouldn’t have to work other jobs, they could afford gym fees, they could afford the proper food. Right now, they’re working other jobs barely scraping by.

“If they changed the fighter minimum to $50,000, it would only cost the UFC $20 million per year. But that $20 million would be going into the smaller fighters’ pockets and it’s a world of a difference. Meanwhile, they’re making $3 billion,” Paul stated

Perhaps this is the first of many states who will now lead by example. Although it will still not be enough to cover most athletes, it is a start.

And that may also force all the organizations such as the UFC, Bellator and the PFL, to do more to look after their fighters. And in a sport where lives can change at any moment, it is vital that athletes receive protection.

That can only be a good thing moving forward. Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingblitz.