Garrett Armfield has a cautionary story for combating abroad – however not one which comes with any regrets.
Whereas the specifics differ primarily based on nation, it’s lengthy been identified that combating internationally just isn’t at all times all it’s cracked as much as be – significantly from a monetary standpoint. Whether or not fighters from exterior America are coming to the States, or American fighters are taking bouts abroad, they’re going to be hit with further earnings taxes.
Moreover, normally, the UFC solely pays bills for the fighter and one nook for a global struggle. So if Armfield needs his full regular crew with him exterior the nation, he’s out of pocket for the surplus.
Together with what usually could be a troublesome job on struggle night time in enemy territory, the monetary hurdles make taking worldwide fights exhausting, significantly for fighters early of their careers. However Armfield thinks of it as an funding in his profession.
After a short-notice UFC debut loss to David Onama practically two years in the past, a pair of cancellations had Armfield in want of a struggle a 12 months later – and he took one towards Toshiomi Kazama in Singapore so he may get again to work.
“I believe they help us one hundred pc: Go struggle in a wonderful metropolis and go on a cool resort they usually pay for you and one (different) flight,” Armfield just lately instructed MMA Junkie Radio. “However to be clear, I did pay for my different nook to go together with, and that was a reasonably expensive factor. After which Singapore did take 15 %. So I did have numerous bills with that struggle, however I believe it was an enormous second for my profession – and I hadn’t fought in a 12 months, both.
“Once I first acquired the Singapore name, Trey was like, you recognize, it’s not a nasty struggle, however we will go struggle in Vegas. It’s method simpler and places you on a unique card. However for some purpose, I used to be like, ‘Nope. Nope. We’ve acquired to do that.’ So I’m glad I took that.”
Armfield knocked out Kazama within the first spherical. In January this 12 months, he received his second straight with an upset of two-time “Final Fighter” winner Brad Katona in Canada.
And whereas that struggle was in Toronto, which means only a few hours within the air from Armfield’s Florida base in comparison with Singapore, it nonetheless was worldwide. That just about actually means Armfield (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will probably be glad to be in Las Vegas subsequent week when he takes on Brady Hiestand (7-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 58.
“I really feel like there’s two methods of it. They may undoubtedly financially (help us extra). There’s different methods – like, they may pay for a second gear or no matter,” Armfield mentioned. “However on the identical time, I actually imagine within the factor that this is a chance, not a profession. I actually agree with that assertion, so I’m right here to take each alternative that I can.
“It doesn’t matter how a lot cash it’s going to value. I do know every part’s going to be OK in the long run. In case you love what you’re doing, you’re good at it, you’re going to make some actual cash someday. So if I’ve acquired to pay the bills up entrance now to go present my burn out to the world, it’s investments for now for an even bigger payout every time I’m a top-five fighter. No matter it could be, wherever my prime is, that I do know the cash will observe, so I’m right here to take a position myself and struggle wherever towards whoever. (I’ll) go to Australia and (taxes can) take 40 % of my cash. I don’t care. I’m right here to be a fighter’s fighter.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 58.
Be sure you go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
