Thomson made more than 7 times what Reebok would have paid him in sponsors

When Reebok and Ultimate Fighting Championship signed an exclusive in-octagon sponsorship deal, fighters were reluctant to celebrate. Fighters like Urijah Faber would be forbidden from promoting his clothing line, Torque, in the octagon like he used to in earlier UFC and WEC days. Miesha Tate and Brendan Schaub sponsorship income would decrease by at least 80% due to the inability to rock external sponsorships in the octagon.

UFC lightweight Josh Thomson was one of the first fighters to make the choice not to re-sign with the UFC and jump ship to Bellator, following Phil Davis. On Saturday night, “The Real Punk” informed MMA Fighting that three sponsors alone paid him more than $35,000 for his fight on Saturday at Bellator’s “DYNAMITE” event!

Thomson’s debut went without a hitch as the lightweight dominated Mike Bronzoulis, submitting him in the third round of the fight.

Thomson would have made just $5,000 in his next in-octagon appearance. Do you think Thomson is the first of many fighters to make their way to Bellator, or is Thomson alone on this one? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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