UFC boss Dana White left YouTube comedian Kyle Forgeard speechless after gifting him $250,000 in cash for his 28th birthday.
Forgeard, who turned 28 on July 12, is one of the founders of YouTube prank crew Nelk. The group have over one billion views and seven million subscribers on the platform. They have become increasingly involved with the UFC in recent years and are often cageside for pay-per-view events.
Earlier this year, White brought Nelk along with him to Kansas City for an episode of the promotion's series 'Lookin' For A Fight'. Nelk were able to pick their own fighter and sign them to the UFC. White's good relationship with Nelk, in particular Forgeard, was yet again shown when he surprised him with $250,000 in a plastic bag for his birthday.
"$250,000 for my birthday from the best f****ng mentor/friend I could ever ask for," Forgeard wrote of White in the Instagram video's caption. "I didn't know how much money this was until after the video. I am in f****ng shock. Thank u so f****ng much."
With UFC fighter pay being a hot topic at the minute, the video didn't go down well with fans. Many accused White of paying Forgeard more than he pays his own fighters, with one stating: "Bro be paying YouTubers more than he pays UFC fighters, with another added: "That's more than he ever gives his fighters and he gives it to a random YouTuber."
The UFC has come under fire in recent years for their revenue split, with fighters taking around 18 per cent of the total revenue made from the promotion each year. That figure is a fraction of what other major sports leagues distribute, with the NFL and NBA sharing around 50 per cent of the revenue they make with their athletes.
What are your thoughts on Dana White gifting the YouTube star $250,000? Let us know in the comments section below
"Everyone saying pay your fighters this is a bday gift out his own pocket not him paying an employee from the companies earnings. Though he should pay the fighters more," another user commented. White has been challenged by YouTube star turned boxer Jake Paul to increase fighter pay and provide fighters with health care once they retire from competing.
Currently, the minimum guaranteed UFC purse is $12,000 with Paul calling for White to increase that to $50,000. Paul even offered to fight Nate Diaz, who has one fight left on his contract, for free if White accepts his offer to improve conditions for fighters in the promotion.
