Topics: UFC, MMA, Dana White, Paddy Pimblett
Dana White has confirmed a complete overhaul of the UFC bonus system ahead of the upcoming card headline by Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett.
The long six-week wait for the UFC to return is finally over as Liverpool's Pimblett is set to clash with Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC 324 is expected to be one of the best cards in recent history as it marks the first event since the MMA organisation announced a new $7.7 billion US broadcast deal with Paramaount+.
In the wake of the massive deal, there's been major discussions regarding fighter pay in the UFC, with Gaethje recently lashing out saying his pay hasn't changed since the deal, criticising the fact that has not earned a million dollars from his bonuses.
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And now, the UFC has responded to the pressure as President and CEO White has announced a huge change to the organisation's bonuses that could have a massive outcome on events.
In the past, the UFC typically has awarded $200,000 (£146,573) of bonuses after fight cards, with $50,000 (£36,643) going to each of the fighters who take part in the fight of the night, and a further $50,000 to two fighters who were judged to have the best individual performances.
However, speaking to Sports Business Journal, White confirmed that from UFC 324 this weekend, the UFC will double all performance bonuses and add a new incentive to fighters who pick up a finish win don’t get one of the main bonuses.
This means that the UFC will now pay at least $400,000 in bonuses per event, offering fighters a huge incentive to try to impress the UFC executives during their fights.
But that's not all, as White also confirmed that the UFC will now pay $25,000 (£18,322) to any fighter who knocks out or submits their opponent, but isn't wasn’t for either a fight or performance of the night bonus.
With each UFC card featuring several finishes, it means that it's possible that the organisation could be paying out half a million dollars or more in bonuses each card.
The news will be music to the ears of Gaethje, one of the company's all-time leaders in fight night bonuses having won 14 bonuses in his UFC career.
As it stands, the leader for most post-fight bonuses awarded is held by former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira with 21.
