Paulo Miyao, recently publicly criticized an unnamed grappling promotion for offering him a meager $1,000 purse to compete in an event. This incident has reignited discussions surrounding the financial struggles faced by professional grapplers and the disparity between athlete compensation and event revenue.
Miyao’s criticism is not unique within the grappling community. Many elite competitors have previously voiced concerns about the difficulty of sustaining a livelihood solely through competition earnings. Traditionally, grapplers have supplemented their income through avenues such as operating academies, conducting public seminars, or selling instructional materials. While some positive developments have emerged, with select promotions offering increased purses and even six-figure prize pools, the $1,000 offer presented to Miyao stands in stark contrast, highlighting the persistent financial challenges faced by many athletes.
The news was also shared by Craig Jones who compared it to an episode of Pawn Stars where Miyao was lowballed by a petty offer. In true Craig Jones style, he gave a comedic twist to the scenario which highlights how little some elite BJJ black belts are offered to fight. This money is even less impressive when considering Miyao’s expensive living costs seeing as he is based in New York City.
Miyao’s decision to publicly disclose the offer, including screenshots of the conversation with the promoter, adds another layer to the debate. This transparency sheds light on the specific details of the compensation structure, fostering discussion about industry standards and athlete expectations.
Charles Vieira
Charles Vieira is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt. He has travelled the world extensively training on 4 continents.