The old UFC bonus system is gone, replaced in the Paramount+ era with a new, higher paying bonus system.
In addition to every finish generating a $25,000 bonus, performance bonuses and Fight of the Night bonuses were also jacked up from $50,000 to $100,000. But UFC CEO Dana White would like everyone to know that the old system was actually a lot better than many thought it was.
White is often very tight lipped when it comes to the amount of money fighters make. So it was a surprise to many when he revealed at the UFC 324 post-fight press conference that every fighter used to get some amount bonus money, even if they didn’t get one of the two $50,000 performance bonuses or $50,000 for being part of Fight of the Night.
“So what has been happening forever in the company, since we started this company, is every night I would tell you guys, ‘Oh, these guys won these bonuses,’” White said. “But everybody on the card would get a check for different dollar amounts depending on how they fought. Ranging anywhere from $5000 to $25,000. Every event.”
“So, those are going away. And now finishes will get a $25,000 bonus.”
The good news? Now fighters don’t have to wonder whether they’ll get $3000 or $10,000 based on what UFC execs thought of their performance. It’s now very straight forward: finish your opponent, and you get an extra $25,000. For new UFC fighters making $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win, that’s a big deal. And while we can still hope that the promotion finally improves the amount starting fighters make after a 10 year increase freeze, this is still a decent step in the right direction.
