There's a nascent combat sport that has taken the fight world by storm in recent years. You've probably taken part in it yourself.
Pillow fighting has long been considered one of the healthier ways to let off steam and settle quarrels between two or more parties. Siblings locking horns over a borrowed shirt? Release the hounds — a pair of plush cushions. Roommates warring about a dish-laden sink? Take it to the (pillow) sheets.
As of late, these contests have proven more profitable. The Pillow Fight Championship was established in 2022. The league pits fighters against each other in search of pillow-fighting glory — and perhaps a check, too.
With that, here's what you need to know about the Pillow Fight Championship purse and payout.
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Do Pillow Fight Championship fighters get paid?
Those taking part in the Pillow Fight Championship won't leave the arena empty-handed. Fighters walk away with $250 regardless of whether they win or lose, according to The Sports Cast.
Naturally, winners earn more. The winner of the annual championship typically pots a $5,000 cash prize. Hauley Tillman claimed the men's title in 2022. He proceeded to spend his winnings to open up a dojo in his neighborhood, Liberty City in Miami.
"I told them. I said, "I'm gonna beat everybody. I'm going to destroy everybody,'" Tillman told Business Insider in 2023. "'And I'm going to open up the school." That's what I did.
How much do Pillow Fight Championship fighters make?
Forbes reported that fighters make $250 to show. Winners are believed to earn more — the Sports Cast estimates that they collect an additional $250 in earnings.
There's a $5,000 grand prize available to anyone who can slay all opponents en route to a PFC title win. That figure is offered to tournament champions in both the men's and women's brackets.
These marks represent fairly modest figures — far smaller than what is offered to professional fighters in other disciplines. Still, there's room for growth. ESPN's embrace of the spectacle is expected to open it up to a wider audience. Meanwhile, UFC president Dana White shouted out the competition during a recent fight card.
Pillow Fight Championship average fighter salary
The inaugural Pillow Fight Championship event, held in 2022, saw 16 men and eight women take part in the competition. Tillman and Istela Nunes took home the men's and women's crowns, respectively, netting $5,000 apiece for their efforts.
Most fighters will not claim a world title. As such, they'll have to settle for more meager earnings — $250 for show, another $250 as a win bonus. Expect the vast majority of competitors to leave with anywhere from $250-$500, with that number swelling depending on how many victories a fighter is able to attain.
Highest-paid Pillow Fight Championship fifighters
At this moment, the PFC has precious few headliners. Former UFC fighter Marcus Brimage took part in the competition back in 2022, falling in the final to Tillman.
Ultimately, those who capture the PFC belt can lay claim to the title of highest-paid fighter. That $5,000 grand prize is a specter that twirls above fighters' heads. Only time will tell who can capture the bounty for themselves in this year's competition.