Makdessi, a fighter who competed in the UFC, shared his payslip online to reveal the stark reality of fighter earnings. He lost his fight at UFC 293 in September 2023 to Jamie Mullarkey via unanimous decision, but despite a close match, he only took home $28,461.65. This was after a hefty $26,100.00 tax deduction, equating to 45% foreign tax. Makdessi's payslip also shows deductions for 'medical', 'airfare', and 'others'.
On X, Makdessi expressed his frustration, stating that the Australian government and the judges robbed him. He emphasized the financial struggles faced by smaller fighters who often need to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. He proposed raising the fighter minimum to $50,000, arguing that it would significantly improve their lives and only cost the UFC an additional $20 million per year.