Max Holloway has sparked intense debate in the MMA community after speaking out about the pay gap between boxing and UFC. During a public conversation with former champion Demetrious Johnson, Holloway reacted to the news that boxer Conor Benn will receive about $15 million for a fight promoted by Zuffa Boxing. The Hawaiian noted that such figures put into perspective how much many MMA fighters earn and encouraged his teammates to "know their value" and negotiate more firmly. Holloway recalled that in his first bouts in UFC he barely earned $6,000 per fight and that many athletes still accept contracts without enough room for negotiation. The former champion also criticized the lack of unity among fighters, noting that internal competition often weakens the ability to demand better economic conditions within the industry.