Matt Riddle Quotes

I know why the UFC runs the business the way they do. I know why Conor McGregor makes a base pay of $3 million. But I think I justify my pay with my skill set, and I've always been willing to promote my brand.

The UFC has a long history of changing a fighter's compensation for a particular bout... There's always changes that's always being made as far as contracts.

People got to understand, the fighters at the top are the fighters that are supposed to get paid because they're the guys that are bringing people in, bringing eyes to the TV, getting pay-per-views buys, and putting people in the seats. I mean, that's what it comes down to.

My first contract I was offered by the UFC, or my second contract, it was 1-and-1, 2-and-2, 3-and-3. That's $12,000 for the year. Don't complain to me about fighter pay. It was $12,000 for a year, and it was exclusive.

The UFC isn't this whole glamor everybody thinks. They don't pay you right.

I do get paid well as an MMA fighter, but this isn't boxing and I feel like we should get paid like this is boxing.

I think the only person who will ever lose in a fight and still end up making a million dollars is Conor McGregor - that's just because of how his contract is structured or whatever.

Look at guys like Demetrious Johnson, who's the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. Why isn't he on the largest pay scale? Why are there people that aren't even champions making more money?

Everybody in the Olympics is paid. Lindsay Vonn is going to make a million dollars whether she skis or not.

They're still considered Olympic eligibles, so there's never an issue whether they're going to turn pro or not. When they get to that level, money is never an issue. They make so much money now.

I've won five bonuses in my nine fight UFC career.

The fighters in the UFC are treated very well.

I want the best money, and obviously the highest ceiling that you can be the best is in the UFC. But yeah, I praise Bellator. They gave me a great offer.

Right now, there are some big names out there for me. The likes of Demian Maia, Rafael dos Anjos, Robbie Lawler, and Wonderboy.

Considering myself as a true number one in the UFC, I think Cain Velasquez is the number two.

It's a good thing I have another job because the UFC doesn't pay very well.

Bellator and Viacom want to give fans exciting fights and enable fighters to continue to grow and most importantly provide for their family, and it's something I want to be a part of.

That's what it's all about in MMA, we're not the highest paid athletes in the world, so when you can get the big money fights you have to take them.

Someone said Anderson Silva and GSP would be a $12 million fight. I told people that for $12 million, I'd fight them both right now. At the same time. People took that as 'He's going to fight again.' It was a joke. But if you came up with $12 million, yeah, of course I will fight again.

I fight guys that no one has ever heard of; I fought guys who are legends, like Frankie Edgar.

You have to entertain in the UFC. Like it or not, this isn't news. It has been this way for a while, and it will continue to be this way.

What's the point of fighting in the UFC if it isn't to become the champion?

I made more from sponsorship than I did from fighting. I did that for the longest time.

I think we both matured together in this sport, so I think fight between Michael Bisping and myself would mean a lot.

I train with top guys like Chuck Liddell and Lyoto Machida, I have trained with Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, and nobody have ever dominated me.