Josh Emmett may be headlining UFC Fight Night this weekend, but his thoughts appear to be elsewhere—particularly on the big payouts being handed out in the Global Fight League (GFL). The 40-year-old veteran, who has a total career earnings of $864,000 in the UFC, has openly expressed interest in the growing promotion and the money competitors make there. Despite Dana White‘s efforts to ensure he is well compensated throughout his career, Emmett confessed that the financial potential in GFL is appealing enough to make him consider a change.

“Yes, yeah, a lot of guys, you know, they’re coming back, and I want to go down there and watch that fight. I’m curious to see how that organization kind of pans out and plays out,” Emmett added, referring to the GFL’s influx of veterans. ‘CC0’ further added that because of him seeing other veterans earning major money, he wishes to leave the Dana White-led promotion, even just for a little while, to earn himself a big paycheck. “It seems like a lot of veterans for sure are fighting each other and people that were in this organization. So yeah, more power to them because they’re making—I know some of the pay that these guys are making, and it’s ridiculous. I wish I could go hop over and do one fight, and then I’ll come back.”

It is worth noting that Emmett is not the only one who has noticed the money flooding into GFL. The promotion made waves when it announced Urijah Faber‘s return fight against Renan Barão, reportedly giving significant cash incentives for veterans eager for a final payday. Given the UFC’s notoriously tough negotiations and rigid contracts, more fighters may be tempted to follow Faber’s lead. ‘CC0,’ a longtime featherweight contender, remains under the UFC, but his statements indicate that if the proper opportunity comes along, he will not hesitate to test the waters elsewhere.

But for now, Josh Emmett is currently focused on his upcoming main event against the undefeated Lerone Murphy at UFC Fight Night 256. As he faces a rising contender, the seasoned knockout artist hopes to prove that age is just a number. But, with his sights set on MMA’s financial landscape, the question remains: how long before another UFC name makes the switch to GFL? However, it is worth noting that even Jack Della Maddalena was recently seen hosting a fundraiser to help raise funds for his team to travel to UFC 315. So, was it really the truth?

Is Dana White underpaying Jack Della Maddalena the reason behind the fundraiser?

The latest controversy surrounding Jack Della Maddalena’s supposed fundraiser has fueled the continuing discussion over UFC fighter compensation. Following Josh Emmett’s comments on MMA’s financial gaps, many would believe that Maddalena, despite being on the verge of a title chance, had to raise funds only to get his crew to UFC 315. A social media post from a Western Australian venue claimed that the welterweight star was using an event to secure travel cash, which drew immediate criticism. After all, if a championship contender needs external funding, what does that say about the UFC’s financial structure?

However, the truth of the story turned out to be far less dramatic. Damon Martin, an MMA journalist, emphasized that Maddalena was making a paid appearance at the venue and that the fundraising allegation was a consequence of a misinterpretation. The bar in question had advertised the event without Maddalena’s approval or knowledge, resulting in unwarranted speculation. With the event canceled and the issue resolved, the conversation should have come to an end—but the harm had already been done. For many, the sheer presence of such a misunderstanding spoke loudly about UFC fighter pay, particularly when contrasted to rising promotions such as the GFL.

With the noise outside the cage settling down, Maddalena can now concentrate on the pinnacle of his career. Originally scheduled to fight Leon Edwards at UFC London, the undefeated Australian stepped in on short notice to challenge Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 315. While he remains the underdog, he now has the potential to cement his position as the finest in the world. Even if Maddalena shocks the world and wins gold in Montreal, the bigger question is whether UFC champions will ever feel financially secure enough to put these rumors to rest. What do you think? Is Dana White underpaying his fighters? Let us know in the comments.