Former Bellator champion and current UFC lightweight ‘Ill’ Will Brooks may be one of the few fighters actually defending CM Punk’s massive payday at UFC 203 on Saturday.
Phil Brooks, better known as CM Punk, took home $500,000 in disclosed pay in a losing effort to Mickey Gall, who submitted the former WWE superstar in a little over two minutes. Many fighters took to Twitter to vent their frustrations in the pay disparity, considering Punk’s victorious opponent earned a meager $30,000 in comparison to Punk’s half a million dollar payday.
‘Ill’ Will was one of the few who came to Punk’s defense in a series of Tweets on Monday night:
Good for that dude… I got no time to hate on him, I rather spend that time trying to get my own. https://t.co/Aq5jY70iUU
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) September 12, 2016
That same energy you spend worrying about what he got could be used trying to get your own.
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) September 12, 2016
Instead of getting mad about it, peep the game, take pointers, find your own lane, and get yours. #duh https://t.co/Aq5jY70iUU
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) September 12, 2016
In comparison to Punk’s UFC salary, Brooks made only $72,000 in a Bellator title defense in April 2015 before jumping ship to the UFC. Regardless, ‘Ill’ Will seems to be at odds with most in the MMA community over the issue.
Do you agree with Will Brooks assertion that fighter’s sell themselves better for a bigger paycheck? Or do you think Punk should have earned a salary more in line with UFC newcomers? Sound off in the comments section, PENN Nation!