Demetrious Johnson, the former UFC flyweight champion, may not have made a king’s ransom from the EA UFC video games, but he is certainly happy with what he received. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Johnson revealed that he received a total of $72,500 from his likeness being used in the EA UFC games.
The payments were based on how often players chose Johnson as a character in the game. For the first edition of the game in which he appeared, Johnson received $25,000. Subsequent editions brought in $12,500 and $10,000 respectively. Even after leaving the UFC in 2018, Johnson continued to receive payments for his character being featured in the game.
Johnson expressed his gratitude for the extra income, noting that it was essentially free money coming his way. He also highlighted the fairness of the system, where popular characters like himself received larger checks based on their popularity in the game.
The story of Johnson’s earnings from the EA UFC games sheds light on the often overlooked aspect of fighter pay in the MMA world. While show money, win money, and bonuses are commonly discussed, the additional income from likeness rights in video games can also make a significant impact on a fighter’s earnings.
Overall, Johnson’s experience with the EA UFC games serves as a reminder of the various revenue streams available to fighters beyond their performances in the octagon.