Almost working for minimum wage

by Dorian Anid

Muay Thai is a sport rich in honor and tradition. Most if not all of the fighters that actively compete as professionals in the United States do so because they love Muay Thai. People not familiar with Muay Thai see a professional athlete with fans, and the automatic assumption is that they make good money. That assumption couldn't be any more inaccurate. Some of the big names in the world Muay Thai scene do very well fighting Muay Thai, but in the United States it is a different story.

The first thing that needs to be addressed is that there are not many full time Muay Thai fighters. Most have to either hold part time jobs, teach at a gym, or run their own gym. Some even have full time jobs so that they can support their families. Unlike MMA there is no UFC like promotion in Muay Thai, all though there are many good promotions in Muay Thai none rises above the rest.

Fighter Salaries for WCK Muay Thai at Buffalo Bill's Aug. 28

Below are the salaries for WCK Muay Thai at Buffalo Bill's which took place this past weekend on August 28th in Primm Valley, Nevada.

The night's top earner was Rick Cheek who made $3,000, Cheek lost via KO to Stephen Banks in the second round. William Sriyapai was the second highest paid fighter bringing in $2,500 in defeat, Sriyapai lost a unanimous decision to Raul Rodriguez.

Full Fighter Pay Outs:

Women's WBC International Bantamweight Title
Jeri Stizes ($1,500) def. Joanna MacEachern ($500)

IKKC International Light Heavyweight Title
Stephen Richards ($1,000) def. Shawn Yarborough ($2,000)

Remy Bonnel ($2,000) def. Chaz Mulkey ($2,000)