On this day in 2010, Dana White expressed regret over his decision to give fans more influence in UFC bonus awards. White recently extended his contract as UFC CEO and president through 2026, with big changes expected in the promotion, though some fan complaints may persist. Historically, MMA leaders rarely change the way post-fight bonuses are awarded, except for occasional special events like the record-breaking UFC 282. However, when UFC experimented with fan voting for bonuses at UFC 124, the results didn’t sit well with White.
At UFC 124 in Montreal, Georges St-Pierre dominated Josh Koscheck to defend his welterweight title, winning every round and landing 110 strikes to Koscheck’s 16. Despite the one-sided nature of the fight, fans voted Koscheck to receive the Fight of the Night bonus, earning him an extra $100,000, which frustrated White. He admitted this approach was flawed, stating that fan voting could lead to misguided choices and wasted opportunities, as big names tend to overshadow other deserving fighters. White promised to ensure that fighters like Sean Pearson, who deserved bonuses but were overlooked by fans, would still be taken care of.
Letting fans vote on bonuses may seem fair but has clear drawbacks, such as favoring popular fighters or those fighting in their home countries while neglecting exciting matches earlier in the event. This controversy highlights the challenges in balancing fan engagement with fair recognition of fighters’ performances.
Fan Take: This incident is a reminder that fan involvement in decision-making, while engaging, must be carefully managed to maintain fairness in awarding fighters. For the sport, it underscores the ongoing challenge of evolving UFC’s approach to recognition and rewards without compromising the integrity of the competition.
