Signing on the Dotted Line
Kevin Lee, a well-known name in the world of mixed martial arts, recently made headlines not just for his fighting skills but for how cryptocurrency influenced his career choices. Lee signed a four-fight deal with the Eagle Fighting Championship, and let’s just say the digital currency Bitcoin played a starring role in the negotiations.
Bitcoin: The Digital Dollar for Fighters
As reported by MMA news outlet BJ Penn, the Russia-based Eagle Fighting Championship decided to pay Lee in Bitcoin. Now, before you ask, no, he won’t be storing his fight purse in a piggy bank shaped like a coin. According to the fighter, being compensated in BTC was a crucial factor in his decision to sign with the promotion.
More Than Just a Payment Method
Lee commented,
“To be paid in Bitcoin and not give me any pushback on it whatsoever, was huge in the decision [to sign with Eagle FC].”
This sentiment makes it clear that he sees Bitcoin not just as a currency, but as a pathway to financial stability—especially in such a volatile sport. Let’s face it, fighters have enough to worry about without having to fret over their bank balances.
Financial Gains: Past and Present
While the exact figures of Lee’s payment for his new contract remain under wraps, he had previously made a handsome $280,000 from a fight with Tony Ferguson. If his new deal exceeds what he earned in the UFC, we could be looking at a payout of 5.86 BTC or more, depending on market fluctuations. Sweet deal, eh?
A Rocky Road to Eagle FC
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Lee. He faced a six-month suspension and a fine for testing positive for Adderall, after which he found himself released from his UFC contract. However, it seems that the Eagle FC was more than happy to scoop him up following his tumultuous UFC career. His first fight with the new promotion is scheduled for March 11 against Diego Sanchez—let’s hope he brings that Bitcoin swagger into the octagon!
Crypto in the Octagon!
Lee’s adoption of Bitcoin is part of a broader trend in the MMA world where fighters are increasingly embracing digital assets. Jon Fitch was the first professional fighter to be paid in Bitcoin back in 2015, and since then, many have followed suit, showing interest in BTC and other cryptocurrencies. Fighters like Eddie Alvarez have even admitted to investing in Bitcoin, while Ben Askren has jumped on the crypto bandwagon by promoting Litecoin.
The UFC Goes Digital
The Ultimate Fighting Championship hasn’t been left behind either; the organization recently dipped its toes into the crypto space with a $175 million initiative in partnership with Crypto.com, paving the way for UFC-branded NFTs. Digital assets are not just a quirky trend—this is the future of sports finance!
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