Accepting Bitcoin as payment was a 'big reason' for MMA fighter to sign with Eagle FC

Professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Kevin Lee says bitcoin was the main factor in his decision to sign with a new promotion company.

Russia’s Eagle Fighting Championship will pay Kevin Lee in Bitcoin as part of a four-match contract, MMA news outlet BJ Penn reports. The boxer was reportedly a long-term holder until the 2017 bull run, and later used some of the profits to live on after paying for knee surgery.

Lee said: "Accepting Bitcoin as a salary without any resistance is an important reason for my decision (to sign with Eagle FC). It gives me more financial security and will also help me fight better. "

While Eagle FC's compensation was not disclosed, Lee previously earned $280,000 for his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout with Tony Ferguson. In the Dec. 17 interview, Lee hinted that Eagle FC would pay more than he would during his UFC contract, meaning that at current prices, 5.86 BTC or more could be paid.

Lee, known as The Motown Phenom, was recently banned for six months and fined after testing positive for amphetamines. He was later released from his UFC contract before Eagle FC attempted to add him to their roster - his first fight with the company is expected to be against Diego Sanchez on March 11.

The UFC has been delving into the benefits of digital assets through its partnerships with cryptocurrency and blockchain companies. In July, the organization signed a 10-year, $175 million deal with Crypto.com that culminated in the release of UFC-licensed non-fungible tokens. Additionally, the UFC has previously partnered with blockchain rewards app Socios and tokenization platform Chiliz to release a fan token.

Individual MMA fighters have expressed interest in BTC and other tokens since Jon Fitch became the first professional fighter to accept Bitcoin as payment in 2015. Last year, former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez said he bought some bitcoin, while Ben Askren was paid to promote LTC.

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