In a recent appearance on the “Nothing Left Unsaid” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg stated that he would have likely joined the MMA industry instead of wrestling after finishing up his football career if the pay was similar to today’s standards.
MMA athletes were paid much less in the ’90s than today as UFC wasn’t as popular back then.
Goldberg said, “100000% percent. No question. Back in the day, the guys who were fighting at UFC were training at my gym. I owned a gym after Main Event Fitness called Obaki Fight School in Atlanta. It was the largest MMA gym in North America. Those guys were training at my gym. Randy Couture, Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman. I got to be good friends with them and we were talking about what they were making, as I was trying to decide what I was going to do. That option went completely off the table once I heard they were making 2 to 3 or $5,000 a fight. Absolutely ridiculous. Obviously, nowadays, it’s changed exponentially. I would have probably chosen mixed martial arts if the payscale was where it is now.”
Goldberg’s WWE contract expired at the end of 2022 and it was not renewed by the company.
Former WWE superstar Bill Goldberg recently revealed that he would have pursued a career in mixed martial arts (MMA) if the pay was comparable to what it is today. Goldberg, who is a WWE Hall of Famer, made this statement during an appearance on the “Nothing Left Unsaid” podcast.
During the podcast, Goldberg mentioned that in the 1990s, MMA fighters were not paid as well as they are now. He stated that if the pay scale back then had been similar to what it is today, he would have chosen MMA over professional wrestling after his football career.
Goldberg had a gym called Obaki Fight School in Atlanta, where many UFC fighters trained. He became friends with fighters like Randy Couture, Kevin Randleman, and Mark Coleman. They discussed their earnings from fights, which ultimately influenced Goldberg’s decision-making process.
He expressed his disappointment with the low earnings of MMA fighters in the ’90s, stating that they were making only $2,000 to $5,000 per fight. Goldberg found this amount to be “absolutely ridiculous.” However, he acknowledged that the landscape has changed significantly since then, with MMA fighters now earning much more.
Goldberg’s WWE contract expired at the end of 2022 and was not renewed by the company. This revelation about his interest in MMA sheds light on the potential career path he might have pursued if circumstances had been different.
The popularity and financial success of MMA have grown exponentially over the years. With organizations like the UFC leading the way, fighters now have the opportunity to earn substantial incomes through their performances in the octagon.
This revelation from Goldberg highlights the impact that financial considerations can have on an athlete’s career choices. While he ultimately found success in professional wrestling, his interest in MMA and his connections to prominent fighters demonstrate the allure and potential of the sport.
As MMA continues to evolve and attract more mainstream attention, it is likely that the pay scale will continue to rise. This could potentially attract athletes from other sports, like Goldberg, who may be enticed by the financial rewards and the opportunity to compete in a different combat sport.
Overall, Goldberg’s comments on the podcast provide an interesting insight into his career decisions and shed light on the changing landscape of MMA. It is fascinating to consider how his path might have been different if the financial opportunities in MMA had been more appealing during his decision-making process.