Referee Dan Miragliotta inserted himself into the UFC Vegas 123 main event with an inexplicable standup that left the entire broadcast team dazed and confused.
MMA
Tips for financial planning for combat sports specialists
Published
2 years agoon
Competition in combat sports is physically and mentally demanding, but also requires financial discipline. Warriors, whether in MMA, boxing, Muay Thai or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, often encounter unpredictable streams of income, compact career stubbles and high expenses related to training, travel and health care. Therefore, financial planning is of key importance for long -term stability and security.
If you are a sports professional professional or aspire to be one, here are some necessary tips for financial planning that will support you manage your money wisely and build a stable future.
1. Budget like a master
Your income as a warrior can change significantly based on combat bags, sponsorship and appearance fees. Unlike typical work from 9 to 5, you can go without payments, making budgeting a must.
- Follow your expenses – know where your money is going, from fees to gym and diet plans to travel and recovery costs.
- Prioritize the necessary things – they include needs such as rent, food, insurance and training before they throw away luxuries.
- Take advantage of the 50/30/20 rule – assignment of 50% income for the needs, 30% for the needs and 20% savings and investments.
Creating a clear financial road map helps to maintain discipline and prevents a lack of money between fights.
2. Save and invest early
Your combat career will not last forever. Injuries, decreasing performance or change in sport can shorten time in the ring. Start saving and investing as soon as possible to ensure long -term safety.
- Emergency Fund-release aside the costs of maintaining at least 3-6 months on the savings account.
- Retirement savings – open an individual pension account (IRA) or Roth IRA and consistently contribution.
- Invest wisely – Consider low risk investments Like index funds, real estate or funds of joint investing for a long -term augment in wealth.
By making wise financial movements early, you can protect your career after a fight and maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
3. Diversify your income streams
Relying only on bags can be risky. Selected fighters build many sources of income to ensure financial stability.
- Sponsorship and recommendations – work with brands that are in line with your values and recipients.
- Merchandise & Branding – sell branded clothing, training equipment or digital products.
- Coaching and seminars – teach classes, host workshops or offer online training programs.
- Creating content – start the YouTube channel, podcast or blog to generate advertising revenues and sponsorship.
Having many streams of income ensures not only financial security, but also extends career capabilities outside of the fight.
4. Protect yourself in insurance
Combat sports have an inseparable risk, and injuries can have been sideways for months. Without adequate financial protection, medical expenses and lost income can deraise your career.
- Health insurance – get a comprehensive plan covering injuries, hospital stays and rehabilitation.
- Disabled insurance – provides income if you cannot compete due to injuries.
- Civil liability insurance – if you train or run a gym, protects you from lawsuit and unexpected expenses.
Fighters should always prepare for unexpectedly to avoid financial devastation due to medical situations.
5. Manage taxes wisely
Many fighters are independent contractors, which means taxes They are not automatically deducted from their income. Impoverished tax management can lead to financial stress or legal problems.
- Set aside tax money-save about 20-30% of your taxes so that you are not surprised.
- Cook up with an accountant – a tax professional can support maximize deductions, correctly submit and avoid penalties.
- Keep bills and records – the trail costs such as travel, equipment, coaching and membership in the gym that can be deducted.
Proactive taxes ensure that you will remain consistent, while maintaining more money in your pocket.
6. Life plan after a fight
Even the biggest fighters must ultimately go to recent careers. Planning in advance ensures that you are financially and mentally prepared for this change.
- Continue education and skill development – take courses in businessSport management or personal training to broaden the options.
- Network and construction relationships-connect with promoters, gym owners and industry specialists who can support in the possibilities after the fight.
- Start side activity – consider opening the gym, conducting online fitness program or investing in activities while competing.
A solid output strategy prevents financial fighting after the fighting days ended.
7. Take advantage of professional financial advice
Just as warriors have trainers for training, they should also have financial trainers. A financial advisor may support in making wise investment elections, managing income fluctuations and planning long -term success.
- Employed a certified financial planner (CFP) – they can create a non -standard financial strategy adapted to your career.
- Cook up with a lawyer for contracts – a lawyer may view combat contracts, sponsorship agreements and other contracts to make sure you receive fair conditions.
- Surround yourself with trusted advisers – accountants, agents and mentors can contribute to your financial success.
Having the right team in your corner helps to make conscious decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
Being a combat sports professional is that not only winning fights – it’s about managing your career wisely. Financial stability does not happen overnight, but with appropriate habits and strategies you can build a future that supports you outside the ring or cage. Start planning today so that you can fight for your dreams without worrying about financial struggles.
You may like
MMA
Raul Rosas Jr. steps up to face Colby Covington after Dillon Danis Pullout
Published
7 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
Rosas Jr. has accepted a short-notice grappling matchup against
Colby
Covington after Dillon
Danis withdrew.
Danis was scheduled to face Covington in a submission-only match on
Nov. 3 at Pala Pellicone in Rome. However, Hype FC CEO Armand
Martirosian announced at Sunday's press conference that Danis had
pulled out. “El Nino Problema†stepped in to face the former
interim
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight titleholder.
Colby Covington and Raul Rosas Jr. set to clash at Hype FC
ahead of their RAF matches
Rosas, who was attending the press conference, volunteered when
Martirosian called for a replacement.
“Let's do it, f*ck it… Chiwiwis!†Rosas Jr. said at the
presser.
Covington competed at welterweight in the UFC, while Rosas is a
bantamweight. Covington last fought in December 2024, losing to
Joaquin
Buckley, and has since notified the promotion of his retirement
from mixed martial arts. Rosas has won six straight and is coming
off a fifth-round technical knockout victory over Raoni
Barcelos.
Both are scheduled to compete in Real American Freestyle wrestling
matches this month. Covington faces Khamzat
Chimaev at RAF Abu Dhabi on Nov. 14, while Rosas takes on
Clay
Guida at RAF 15 on Nov. 28.
🚨 Dillon
Danis pulled out of his grappling match vs Colby
Covington at Hype FC in Rome Colby will face Raul Rosas
Jr. instead https://t.co/s9J6F2owrB— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
November 1, 2026
MMA
MMA community celebrates Halloween with ‘Kill Bill’ homage, Darth GSP, Bisping meets Batman, and more
Published
22 hours agoon
November 1, 2026
With the UFC holding an event on Halloween night this year, it only made sense for the rest of the MMA world to get in on the act.
Former UFC champions Holly Holm, Michael Bisping, Georges St-Pierre, Dominick Cruz, Cody Garbrandt, and Amanda Nunes all got dressed up, with Holm delivering a pretty convincing version of The Bride from Kill Bill.
Bisping squared off with his son Lucas as a pretty imposing Batman, Georges St-Pierre introduced “Darth GSP,†and Holloway recruited the family for some Apex Legends mayhem.
Check out Halloween highlights from the MMA community below.
MMA
UFC broadcast team stunned by Dan Miragliotta’s inexplicable standup: ‘A referee error’
Published
23 hours agoon
November 1, 2026
In the second round, Renato Moicano was on Tom Nolan's back with a body triangle locked on as he peppered away with punches and kept trying to find a home for his rear naked choke. But out of nowhere with boos raining down from the Meta APEX crowd, Miragliotta decided to stand the fighters up and take the dominant position away from Moicano.
A few moments later, Nolan scored a knockdown before ultimately finishing the fight with ground and pound in the third round. As much as Nolan's win should be celebrated, the entire UFC broadcast team was stunned as Miragliotta's move, which clearly shifted the momentum in the fight.
“I just hate that something like that — I don't care what anybody says, a referee error ultimately casts a little bit of a shadow over what was a beautiful performance by Tom Nolan,†UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier said on the post-fight show. “We saw since the very beginning in the striking,
“It was Tom Nolan's world. He ultimately got the fight done by using his striking to get to the position to finish on the mat.â€
That said, Cormier was at a loss to explain Miragliotta's decision to stand the fighters up with Moicano in such a dominant position.
“I'm being completely honest here guys, it's not because I love grappling,†Cormier explained. “It is so difficult to get to that position. That is such a dominant position. While Moicano was maybe not punching him, he was trying to reach, trying to hand fight to try to get the chokes, that's what you do.
“You can stop a lot of positions but I just don't think a ref should take anybody out of mount ever, should never take anybody off of the back like that. I don't think you take those types of positions and change them. They're just too dominant.â€
UFC commentator Laura Sanko was also at a loss to explain the referee's move and she defended Moicano working hard to maintain the position, which just didn't warrant a standup.
“That is being active in that position,†Sanko added. “You can't sit there and punch all the time. Getting to that spot is advancing your position in grappling. Aljamain Sterling was freaking out [in the crowd].â€
While Moicano survived the round, there's no doubt Nolan's comeback started after the standup from the referee.
UFC analyst Din Thomas can't help but wonder if Moicano might actually try to fight what happened with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, although standups like the one on Saturday night are totally at a referee's discretion.
In other words, it's highly unlikely Moicano has any argument to make about the outcome in the fight.
“I don't know if the outcome would have been any different without the standup, but I've got to say the standup is questionable,†Thomas said during the post-show. “I wouldn't be surprised if Moicano didn't try to appeal that.â€
Raul Rosas Jr. steps up to face Colby Covington after Dillon Danis Pullout
Mayweather Prepares for Garcia Fight in Bangkok without Tyson or Pacquiao
Turki Snubs Canelo After $47 Million World Title Victory
Trending
-
Boxing2 days agoReito Tsutsumi vs Raymundo Rojas Scorecard Analysis and Breakdown
-
Boxing2 days agoReito Tsutsumi vs Raymundo Rojas Scorecard Analysis and Breakdown
-
Boxing2 days agoCanelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli Live Results: Updates and Highlights
-
MMA2 days ago16-0 Farid Basharat confirms UFC exit after seven straight wins
-
Boxing2 days agoDavid Picasso vs Carl Martin Scorecard: A Detailed Analysis of Their Performance
-
Boxing2 days agoCanelo Alvarez Recaptures WBC Title with Dominant Victory Over Christian Mbilli
-
Boxing2 days agoCanelo Alvarez vs. Christian MBilli Live Results: Fight Summary & Highlights
-
Boxing2 days agoJaime Munguia vs Nikita Zon: Complete Scorecard and Analysis


