Sal Everett made a big splash in the Contender Series a few weeks ago, finishing Ozzy Martin in the second round and earning a UFC contract. However, it wasn’t his performance that didn’t make headlines. The headlines came long before he fought.
Everett’s inclusion in the Contender Series is one of the more interesting choices on this show. This is because Everett was already drawing a salary from ZUFFA/TKO. He has worked in the UFC since 2019, starting in the mail room and working his way up to Dana White’s personal trainer.
Everett’s duties include managing White’s personal belongings and stocking the company’s refrigerator.
“Sal, we’ve had title fights here and I don’t know if it’s ever been as loud as it was today,” White said. “Everyone in the UFC loves you, you’re a great kid. Forget the fight and the contract, you’re a great person. It couldn’t happen to a better person. You’ve worked your way up. You couldn’t have won more impressively. It’s kind of weird because you’re already in the UFC, but Sal, welcome to the UFC!”
Despite now being on the UFC roster as a fighter, Everett hasn’t quit his day job.
He spoke TMZ this week, she’s still stocking White’s fridge with goodies.
“I’ve been working,” he said. “I worked yesterday and I worked today. Actually, I’m at work now. I love my job, so it’s not like I’ve worked that hard to get rid of Dana’s fridge.”
Everett may actually have the best deal of any UFC fighter. As a TKO employee, he may very well have things like health insurance and pension payments and a steady salary. It would be hard for anyone to pass that up for a guaranteed $10,000 in show money once or twice a year. Also, running down a Diet Coke sounds a lot easier than getting punched in the face.
Everett gets the contract and keeps his job the opposite of what happened to Alivia Bierleywho competed with Everett on the same episode. He infamously quit a six-figure corporate job to achieve his goal of making it to the UFC. After winning a decision over Summer Onley, he had to sit in a folding chair and hear White tell him he wasn’t good enough for a deal (before handing out one to Everett and the other winners).
It’s unclear when Everett will make his proper UFC debut. Hopefully he has enough PTO to get a decent camp.
