UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic is looking to play hardball with the UFC over his current contract after becoming unsettled with what he’s earning compared to some of his recent opponents in the Octagon.
Miocic, who commands a $600,000 basic salary every time he steps into the Octagon in addition to being entitled to pay-per-view points as a UFC champion, is reportedly unhappy at the fact that at UFC 203, Alistair Overeem took home $800,000 even though he lost to him by KO.
Another of Miocic’s former opponents, Mark Hunt also banks a higher basic salary than Miocic at $750,000 per fight.
The 34-year-old Miocic had previously voiced his displeasure at the situation back in January, stating on ‘The MMA Hour’ show that, “[It’s] terrible. Things definitely need to be changed. Something’s gotta change. It’s not really fair.”
Despite that, he then went on to fight Junior dos Santos next time out, defeating him by first round TKO, but now his management have confirmed that he’s refusing to fight again until his contractual issues are resolved.
As such, a recent rumor that the UFC were hoping to put together a title fight between Miocic and former champion Cain Velasquez in October currently hangs in the balance – though it should be noted that Velasquez is also still recovering from hand surgery and might not be ready by then anyway.
