Hype Fighting is facing backlash after several fighters took to social media to complain that they are still awaiting payment from the promotion for their matches at a pair of cards that took place in Brazil in March and April.
MMA Fighting contacted 17 fighters who took part in the events, and all 17 confirmed they are yet to be paid. That list includes preliminary fighters, who competed in bare-knuckle matches, and main card stars, including several UFC stars. Staff and celebrities hired to promote the show weren’t paid either, MMA Fighting has learned.
Some of the unpaid purses from bare-knuckle matches range from just over $500 to four figures.
“I’m not expecting to get paid anymore,” one fighter told MMA Fighting.
MMA Fighting obtained conversations between Hype officials and fighters who went vocal on social media, with the official threatening to “not send the money” if the post wasn’t deleted over the “small delay.” Some athletes were promised spots on future Hype events in Brazil in exchange for not publicly complaining about the situation.
The contract signed by the athletes states “the fee is paid within 30 working days from the date of the battle.” That deadline ends Wednesday for the Hype Sao Paulo card, but is long gone for the March 11 show in Rio de Janeiro.
Hype Fighting officials declined to comment on the situation.
The first show in Rio de Janeiro was headlined by Arman Tsarukyan vs. Muhammad Mokaev, with Jean Silva grappling Bryce Mitchell in the co-main event. Edson Barboza and Shara Magomedov also competed in a grappling showdown.
Four weeks later, Hype held a show in Sao Paulo with Jean Silva facing Marlon Vera in the main event match, while Deiveson Figueiredo grappled Raul Rosas Jr. in the co-headliner.
