get paid to fight

How to Get Paid To Fight: The Ultimate Guide!

Do you want to get paid to fight?

If you’re a martial artist, boxer, wrestler, Mixed Martial Artist (MMA), or an individual from various disciplines, you probably already know that you can get paid to fight.

Did you know that I used to practice Karate and Muay Thai and got paid for fights? YES, I’m a proud brown belt holder in Karate 🙂

I miss being inside the ring and fighting 🙁

So, trust me when I say that you could turn your fighting skills into an income stream. 

If it’s just a hobby, I’m about to tell you how you could earn money from it. 

In this article, I’ll bring you through the ways to earn as a fighter, how to become a fighter, and the professional platforms available for you to get started. 

How to get paid to fight at a glance:

  • Types of disciplines and styles
  • Ways To Get Paid To Fight
  • Tips To Become A Professional Fighter
  • Fight Companies That Pay You To Fight Professionally 
  • How To Grow Your Audience As A Fighter
  • How Much Do UFC Fighters Get Paid?
  • Do Amateur MMA Fighters Get Paid?

Did you know you can make money taking surveys with Survey Junkie?

You can earn $3 – $7 per survey, and it’s FREE to join!

It takes less than 1 minute to sign up for Survey Junkie here, so you can start making extra money online now!

Maybe you’re struggling to pay rent or want to make some extra cash to buy a gift for your loved ones. I know how difficult it is when the funds are tight.

get paid to fight

Affiliate Link Disclosure

Some of the links here are affiliate links, and I may earn if you click on them AT NO EXTRA cost to you. I hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

get paid to fight

Ways To Get Paid To Fight

1. Professional Fighter

Did you grow up watching Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and other notable fighters?

Did you wonder how they are doing it in exchange for money?

I know many of you might have wondered how much money do boxers make.

Maybe some of you googled to know how much do boxers get paid because maybe you also wanted fame, money, and to be celebrated by fans and media around the world.  

To be honest, you can also become a professional fighter and have everything that comes with it like your favorite idols.

There are different disciplines where professional fighters compete such as boxing, MMA, kickboxing, wrestling, and many more. 

You only need to choose one discipline that’s for you. 

There are many ways to earn an income, including winning the prize money, sponsorships, endorsements, and pay-per-view deals. 

Becoming a professional fighter will not only give you money but also fame and recognition, with fans all over the world. 

Let me put it straight: even though it sounds so tempting, becoming a professional fighter requires dedication, discipline, and a good coach. 

Not only that, you need to do rigorous training, follow strict diets and routines, and face tough opponents in the ring in front of large audiences.

Have you seen the powerful and ripped figure of those fighters? It wasn’t achieved by being a couch potato…..

During my training for Karate and Muay Thai, I followed a strict diet and workout plan to have the physique that enabled me to fight. 

You need to ensure that you’re mentally and physically fit. But I will tell you how.

So, let’s find out what you need to become a successful professional fighter.

  • Choose a discipline or style that suits your strengths and preferences
  • Find a coach who can teach the techniques and strategies relevant to your discipline
  • Join a reputable academy where you can train alongside other fighters and benefit from their experiences and expertise
  • Register with a sanctioning organization that offers opportunities to fight in official events
  • Build your reputation by participating in fighting competitions and winning them
  • Seek sponsorships and endorsements from brands
  • Promote yourself by utilizing social media to attract fans and media attention 
  • Continuously improve your skills and performance by learning from your mistakes and feedback from your coach

Additionally, you can also do a simple Google search by typing “get paid to fight near me” which will show you relevant results. 

There is a Facebook page that looks for fighters for their matches. You can look for pages like this for networking purposes. 

If you live in the UK, you can check out the British Fighting Championship website and get paid to fight UK.

The highest-paid UFC fight in history is UFC 257 in which Conan McGregor walked away with $20 million!

Keep reading this article and I will reveal the best companies that will pay to fight!

get paid to fight

2. Stunt Performer

Have you watched any action films and got your mind blown away by all the stunts pulled off by the actors in the movie?

Well, to be honest with you, those stunts are not entirely or not at all pulled off by your favorite heroes. They have their own stunt doubles. 

Actors like Jason Momoa, Chris Patt, Tom Holland, Brie Larson, and many more have their own stunt doubles working together with them in their movies. 

Stunt performers are people who perform dangerous or physically demanding scenes in movies, TV shows, commercials, and various other productions. 

They can specialize in different types of stunts, such as car chasing, falls, explosions, fight sequences, and others. 

Stunt performers are always in high demand because movie stars don’t usually do their dangerous stunts by themselves. 

Becoming a stunt performer can still be challenging because it can be as serious and fatal as becoming a professional fighter. 

The job can change your life overnight if anything goes wrong in the stunt sequence. 

Dar Robinson, one the greatest American stunt performers, broke 19 world records and set 21 world firsts throughout his career as a stunt performer. 

But he also died while filming a stunt for a movie. 

I’m not scaring you, but this is the reality of the job that you need to know before entering. 

Becoming a stunt performer also requires a lot of physical fitness, agility, coordination, and flexibility. 

Learning various skills such as martial arts, gymnastics, parkour, and driving is also important to secure a job in the entertainment industry.

So, how can you become a stunt performer and work with celebrities? 

  • Choose a type of stunt that aligns with your abilities, talent, and interests
  • Find a good trainer who can train you in the skills and safety protocols of your type of stunt
  • Join a reputable stunt association or union that can provide training, certification, and insurance coverage
  • Create a portfolio of your work that displays your skills and talents to perform complex maneuvers safely and effectively
  • Network with fellow stunt performers, movie directors, stunt coordinators, and casting agents to gain referrals for jobs and opportunities
  • Register with stunt agencies to find stunt jobs
  • Continue working on your skills and performance to gain employment

These are some schools and academies that you can join and start your journey as a stunt performer:

get paid to fight

3. Fight Instructor/trainer

Next up on the list is becoming a fight instructor/trainer. 

You might be thinking this is a less risky way to make money which is true to some extent. 

However, it’s important to know that this profession can still be demanding and not entirely risk-free.

Fight instructors are professionals who teach others how to fight in different styles and disciplines. 

They can find jobs in gyms, schools, clubs, the film or TV industry, or combat sports academies.

Becoming a fight instructor/trainer, however, requires a high level of proficiency and knowledge in your chosen discipline. 

Besides, as a trainer, you are required to have good communication, leadership, motivational skills, and teaching abilities. 

Most importantly, commitment to continuous learning and professional development to stay updated on new techniques, training methodologies, and safety practices within the chosen discipline. 

What do you need to become a successful fight instructor/trainer?

  • Choose a style and discipline that you are proficient and knowledgeable in
  • Find a reputable mentor who can teach you the techniques and methods of your chosen style and discipline
  • Obtain a license or certification from a licensed and recognized body or organization that validates your expertise and credibility as a trainer
  • Find a place where you want to teach your discipline to potential clients
  • Promote yourself on social media and other platforms to attract new clients
  • Continuously work on updating your knowledge and skills within your discipline 

These are some schools and academies that you can join and start your journey as a fight instructor:

get paid to fight

4. Fight Judge/Referee

If you have watched any fight matches before, have you noticed a person in the middle overseeing the game and making sure the players are following the rules and regulations of the match?

That person is called a referee. Just like a football game, a fighting match also has a referee. 

Fight judges or referees are officials who are in charge of fighting and ensuring fair play. 

This is one of the less risky jobs on the list but definitely not easy. 

Becoming a fight referee requires a thorough understanding of the rules and scoring system of the match. 

Some of the crucial skills needed for this role are good vision, hearing, communication, positioning to observe the fight closely and make accurate judgments, decision-making, maintaining fairness, and so on.

This is why I said this is no easy job because the whole match is in your hands and your role is as equally important as that of the fighters. 

To become a successful fight referee, you need to:

  • Choose a style or discipline that you are familiar and comfortable with 
  • Find a good instructor who can teach you the rules and regulations, the scoring system, and other relevant skills and knowledge that you need to know
  • Complete a training course and pass an exam from a recognized body or organization that gives you the qualification to become a certified referee
  • Start gaining experience by working as a referee
  • Promote yourself on social media or look for agencies to secure more work opportunities
  • Keep improving your knowledge and skills in your chosen discipline

These are some programs that you can join and start your journey as a fight instructor:

get paid to fight

5. Fight Promoter 

Last on our list is becoming a fight promoter or manager. Now, for this role, you don’t need to shed blood and risk your life and you can make good money if you do it right. 

Don King was a famous American boxing promoter known for his involvement in some of the most significant boxing matches in history. 

He gained fame for promoting and shaping the careers of Muhammad Ali Mike Tyson and others. 

He amongst many other promoters is an example of individuals who built an empire through their work in boxing promotion.

A promoter’s job is essentially to make money and also make exciting fights for the fans. 

As glamorous as it sounds, promoters are not only someone who are always in the spotlight. 

They navigate complex tasks such as negotiation, contract signing, and challenges related to logistics. 

From securing fight venues to coordinating press conferences, the day-to-day tasks of a promoter require a balance of business and event management skills. 

Let’s find out what you need to become a fight promoter;

  • Choose a discipline that you want to be a promoter in
  • Find a partner or team who shares your vision and goals for creating and marketing fights
  • Enhance your knowledge about the fight promotion industry, including the rules and regulations relevant to the discipline of your choice
  • Register with a sanctioning body or organization that provides you with a promoter license to organize a fighting event
  • Find suitable fighters who can work with you and represent your company/brand
  • Network with people who are in the industry such as fighters, managers, trainers, and others who could be beneficial to your business 
  • promoting your company/events on social media to attract media, fighters, and fans
  • Adapt your strategies and offerings as per the changes in the market to stay competitive.

These are some programs that you can join and start your journey as a fight promoter:

Types Of Disciplines And Styles

Before I delve into the ways to get paid to fight, I’d like to introduce you to the terms disciplines, and styles in martial arts. 

Discipline: You can think of disciplines as the types of martial arts. For example, Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo are all types of martial arts disciplines. 

Each has its own styles, techniques, and training methods specific to its type/discipline. 

Styles: This is considered specific approaches or systems within the disciplines that are characterized by their unique techniques and training methods. 

For example, in Karate, there are various styles such as Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, and Wado-Ryu. 

Each style has its own unique techniques and training regimes.

Now, let’s take a look at what are the types of martial arts or combat sports available around the world. 

  • Muay Thai
  • Taekwondo
  • Tai Chi
  • Kickboxing
  • Karate
  • Kung Fu
  • Aikido
  • Judo
  • Kendo
  • Krav Maga
  • Wing Chun
  • Jeet Kun Do
  • Hapkido
  • Capoeira
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Jiu-Jitsu 

The list can go on, but you get the point. These are some of the famous and ancient martial arts that people all around the world have been practicing for years. 

How To Grow Your Audience As A Fighter

YouTube: this is a great place to start if you don’t have a large fan following or fought on the biggest shows. 

You can still have your own YouTube channel to showcase all your fights, training regimes, interviews, diets, and general life. 

This will give your subscribers an insight into your life, and you could end up getting millions of subscribers. 

When the exhibition fight that took place between famous YouTuber Logan Paul and boxer Floyd Mayweather some years ago, the YouTuber had over 23 million subscribers on YouTube and 15 million followers on Facebook. 

This was enough for Logan Paul to sell this exhibition fight and make a million dollars for himself.

We all know that Logan Paul was not a professional boxer at that time, but it was evident that the match took place and garnered attention largely due to his massive following and subscriber base. 

This is an example to understand how popularity on social media plays a role and how it could help you land opportunities. 

Facebook: You can open a FB page because an FB page can have unlimited fans. 

Use your page to promote your work, and do the same thing as I shared in the previous point if you are just starting.  

On top of sharing about yourself, you can use the platform to network with other people in the combat sports industry by commenting and liking their pictures. 

Instagram: Besides Facebook, you can use Instagram as well. 

Establish your presence on various social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and others where you can find your target audience to maximize your reach and engagement. 

Professional Website: You can get a professionally designed website/blog where you can showcase your photos, videos, achievements, and contact details under one roof. 

You can write articles about being a fighter or anything related to your job as a fighter and at the same time promote yourself and your work to reach your target audiences and potential sponsors. 

If you are wondering how to set up a blog and start writing articles for your blog, I created courses that explain step-by-step to get you started.  

How Much Do UFC Fighters Get Paid?

A UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. 

The average amount for a UFC fight is $100,000, but some fighters earn more than others. 

You might wonder why some get paid more, and some don’t. 

Well, it’s because those who get paid more than others are stars who bring in big pay-per-view sales while less famous fighters the rest don’t get paid the same due to their lack of fame.

There are a few factors that determine how much a fighter gets paid:

  • He/she won previous fights
  • He/she was injured in the previous fight
  • Are organizations interested in paying him/her money to fight

So, in summary, there’s no fixed amount for UFC fighters’ salary per fight. 

It very much depends on their fame, wins, and the number of sponsorships they are getting. 

Photo by RDNE Stock project

Do MMA Fighters Get Paid?

Most professional MMA fighters start from a very humble beginning. None of them got paid millions on their first-ever fight. 

Some indicators determine a fighter’s earnings:

  • Fight record
  • Age
  • Style
  • Marketability
  • Number of fights in a year

There are 3 categories to the UFC’s fighter’s salary;

  • Low: $10,000 to $30,000
  • Medium: $80,000 to $250,000
  • High: $500,000 to $3,000,000

So, to summarize, their pay varies from one another depending on the factors that I shared. 

Essentially, the fighter’s performance and popularity are the most important indicators of the money that they’d be earning from a fight. 

Tips To Become A Professional Fighter

It’s not possible to become a fighter in any discipline if you don’t train hard and maintain a high level of fitness. 

  • Choose your discipline: If you’re going to be a professional, you’ll need to specialize. So, do you want to be a pro in boxing, Muay Thai, or Karate?
  • Find a coach or trainer: Look for an experienced and professional coach/trainer who can provide guidance, instruction, and support throughout your journey. 
  • Regular training: Commit yourself to regular and consistent training. Consistency is key to improvement and progress in developing skills. 
  • Build physical and mental toughness: These two are extremely important to build yourself as a professional fighter.
  • Eat right: Consuming a balanced diet will prepare your body to take the impact of your fighting encounters. 
  • Participate in competitions: Join amateur competitions as a beginner to gain valuable experience and test your skills. 
  • Learn from your experience: Use your amateur fighting experiences to analyze and identify areas for improvement. 
  • Networking: Build relationships within the fight community, such as coaches, fellow fighters, promoters, and managers to advance in your career.
  • Stay committed: If you want success in this career, it requires discipline, dedication, and sacrifice. 

Stay committed to your training, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and stick to your diet to pursue your goals.

Photo by UFC

Fight Companies That Pay You To Fight Professionally

Here are some of the companies that pay you to fight professionally:

FAQs On Get Paid To Fight

How Do You Get Paid To Fight?

So, how do you get paid to fight? You can earn money from prize money, sponsorships, endorsements, and pay-per-view deals. 

Can You Get Paid For Boxing?

Can you get paid for boxing? The answer is YES!

However, how much boxers make varies since they get paid by match and based on several factors such as their weight class, experiences and skills, and their popularity. 

According to ZipRecruiter, the average boxer’s salary is $21 per hour. 

In summary, there’s no fixed boxing salary. 

How Much Money Can You Make Fighting?

So, how much money can you make fighting? UFC has 3 tiers of earnings, low, medium, and high. 

The lowest is between $10,000 and $30,000, and the highest is between $500,000 and $3,000,000 per fight. 

The highest tier earning is for champions and superstar fighters. 

get paid to fight

Related Posts

How Do You Get Money For MMA Fighting?

UFC fighters make money mainly through fights and the paychecks they receive from each. 

They usually sign a contract for a certain number of fights with a fixed amount of money each time they fight. 

How Much Do You Get Paid Per Fight In UFC?

So, how much do you get paid per fight in UFC?

The average purse for a UFC fight is $100,000. However, some fighters earn more than others. 

Several factors contribute to this such as pay-per-view, popularity, and sponsorships.

Well, there you go. 

I hope through this article I’ve inspired you to take your fighting skills to the next money-earning level or take up fighting classes to start earning.

Either way, I hope now you know the ways to turn your fighting skills into a full-time or side income. 

There are pros and cons to the jobs that I listed out. But you and I know that this profession is a challenging one. 

Hard work, dedication, consistency, and resilience are the key skills to success for someone going down this path. 

Maybe I should start practicing to fight and turn it into another source of income.

I can start by checking the companies are available for professional fighters in Ireland.

Let’s get paid to fight today!

Related Posts

Similar Posts