High-stakes matchups always stir anticipation, especially when champions clash across weight classes. One such potential super-fight gaining traction is between reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and undefeated featherweight king Ilia Topuria. After a string of dominant performances, Topuria is hungry to leap divisions and cement his legacy. But Makhachev isn’t sold. The Dagestani star wants Topuria to first prove himself in the lightweight ranks before the title shot.
This scenario echoes past tensions between fighters and UFC brass. Many wonder whether the organization is backing Islam’s cautious stance, much like it did in 2018. Fans can recall the UFC’s reluctance to support then-flyweight champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson in a proposed superfight. Johnson, one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history, with 11 straight title defenses, was ultimately traded to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren. The move shocked fans and left Johnson with a bitter aftertaste.
Recently, Johnson reignited the debate over fighter pay when he revealed details about a failed super-fight with then-bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw. Johnson said in his recent YouTube podcast, “When it came to any 120-fiver in the division, I fought every single one of them. The only fight that there was any kind of pushback was when I was about to fight, uh, TJ Dillashaw obviously, because I wanted a million dollars to have a super-fight.” This opened the closed book once again, explaining how even a champion could be turned down when payment comes into the picture.
‘Mightly Mouse’ added, “That was a materialistic thing and he wasn’t a 120-fiver, there was other stuff in the contract that we wanted, but it never came to fruition.” The former champion brought to light a contentious episode from his past, leaving the MMA community pondering whether times are really changing.
Johnson didn’t stop there. During a 2023 Twitch stream, he revealed that he was denied pay-per-view (PPV) points during his title reign—one of the most lucrative revenue streams for top UFC fighters. “I finally got a new contract as champion. It was $125,000 to show and $50,000 to win—but no PPV points,” he said. “If you’re on a card with someone like Conor McGregor and it does 2.1 million buys, do the f—ing math.”
Demetrious Johnson reveals that he never fought TJ Dillashaw for the second belt because UFC didn’t want to pay him $1 million:
“There was other staff in the contract that we wanted but it never came to fruition.”
@MightyMouse pic.twitter.com/yfiqpaM6Fg
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 3, 2025
The contrast with McGregor’s earning power wasn’t lost on fans. Johnson felt robbed of opportunities his peers were granted, reinforcing long-standing concerns over UFC’s rigid payment structure. And this might just be the reason why we’re not getting the heavyweight title unification bout.
The $30 million question Dana White faces
The conversation around fighter compensation intensified further with reports about Jon Jones’ financial demands. Initially, UFC commentator Joe Rogan claimed Jones asked for $30 million to face interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall. This figure was later dismissed by Dana White. Still, even former champ Daniel Cormier suggested that a payday between $15 million and $20 million could be realistic for someone with Jones’ star power.
Johnson weighed in again during his March 2025 appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, “They want Tom Aspinall to fight Jon Jones. Jon goes, ‘I want $30 million. Can you pay me?’ UFC says, ‘No.’ But the UFC made $1.4 billion… Pay the man $30 million and call it good.”
His frustration resonated with fighters, who view UFC’s record profits as over $1.4 billion in 2024. It is at odds with what fighters actually take home.
The debate is far from over. From Topuria’s blocked superfight to Johnson’s past frustrations and Jon Jones’s lofty demands, the UFC faces mounting pressure to reevaluate how it pays its athletes. Fighters risk everything in the Octagon, yet many feel shortchanged regarding earnings.
What do you think? Is the UFC doing enough to support its champions financially? Or are fighters being pushed aside when they speak up? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.
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