Star UFC fighters earn money into the millions. So does several analysts and personalities in and around the sport like Joe Rogan. The UFC bandwagon has many other key members. For instance, the promotion’s translator, Fabiano Buskei, who is a regular fixture at the events, especially those held outside the US, pockets a sizeable pay-check too.
US News reports that the average annual salary of interpreters is between $50k $75k. It is safe to assume that the pay of Buskei, who often shares the stage with Rogan, will fall much above that of the top-earning translators. Of course, it won’t be as high as Rogan’s, who reportedly gets paid $50k for each gig. But it wont be way too below either, and understandably so.
Buskei works for one of the top entities in the sports business with a big stake in the non-English speaking world. His role in increasing the reach of the UFC across the globe is invaluable.
Like Rogan, Buskei has also been on stage for UFC’s ceremonial weigh-ins multiple times, which could earn him additional income. In the absence of detailed reports it is hard to estimate an exact figure though.
In the work sphere, Buskei has been through several many memorable, and awkward moments too.
Buskei once detailed an awkward in-octagon moment with Rogan
The task of an interpreter is not easy. They need to juggle multiple languages with ease. Buskei is a natural in his role, but once, messed up audio controls in his earphones, got him into trouble.
Buskei revealed that he completely missed out on what the fighter had said. He also got a bit nervous after Rogan asked him to translate the speech.
His pay package may not be clear, but its value to the promotion is. The UFC, in an article on him, states that he officially speaks 3.75 languages — Brazilian Portuguese, English, and Spanish fully, and a little less than perfect mastery over Italian. The man can reach the masses, and shatter language barriers. And that has made him a celebrity in his own right.
