UFC 324 ushered in a revamped approach to awarding post-fight bonuses inside the Octagon. Dana White initially withheld specific details about the boosted bonuses accompanying the promotion’s transition to Paramount+, a move that many anticipated would financially benefit the fighters. Before the event on Saturday night, White revealed a new finishing bonus on top of doubling the existing post-fight bonuses.
Following UFC 324, White elaborated on these changes during the post-fight press conference, clarifying that the new bonus system replaces previously undisclosed checks distributed to fighters. He explained, “Everyone on the card will receive checks ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per event, depending on their performance.” For example, early in the night at UFC 324, fighters Ty Miller and Josh Hokit each secured $25,000 bonuses for finishing their opponents.
UFC veteran Matt Frevola shared insights revealing he had only received $3,000 bonuses on several occasions, including after his fight with Kyle Nelson. He posted a letter from Dana White to support his claims and pointed out that a first-round knockout in 2022 which earned him $3,000 would now be worth an extra $22,000 under the new system.
While the introduction of flat finishing bonuses represents a positive step, concerns about fighter pay relative to the UFC’s overall revenue remain. Promoter Eddie Hearn anticipates a potential “rebellion” among UFC athletes, suggesting that the new boxing venture by Zuffa, known as Zuffa Boxing, will further highlight the pay disparity between MMA fighters and professional boxers. Hearn told iFL TV, “Honestly, I think there’s going to be a revolt of UFC fighters because they’ll question why they’re earning less than boxers.”
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Fan Take: This new bonus structure at UFC 324 signals progress towards better financial recognition for fighters, an essential change in a sport where pay equity has long been debated. As the UFC evolves and expands, these adjustments could spark meaningful conversations about fair compensation and the future of athlete rights in MMA.
